Open Hand : Symbol of Chandigarh
Why is this called the City Beautiful and What is in Chandigarh that makes it a very interesting City.
When people hear the word India, it is always associated with pollution, traffic and crowd as what I saw on TV before coming here. But not Chandigarh. As a foreigner who has travelled in some parts of India, I can really say Chandigarh is a Beautiful City.
The term beautiful can be used in all the places that I have been in this country, such as INDIA IS BEAUTIFUL.
However, for me and for most people I have spoken with in English, tori-tori Hindi and Punjabi, Chandigarh is the most liveable place in India. Can you imagine going to your office or school without being stressed with traffic? Or just choose which Garden you are going to spend your morning jog or afternoon delight? Shopping Malls, Non Veg and Veg Dhabas, Coffee, Ice Cream, or the Sweet shops scattered all over the corners of the city. When we talk about hospitals, vegetable market, ukay-ukay (or also known here as Budya Market) shops are also there. But most of all, the People. People makes a city or any place beautiful with their hospitality. Name it, Chandigarh has it.
Chandigarh is the dream city of India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. He tasked Albert Mayer, an American planner and architect to design together with another architect, Matthew Nowicki. Unfortunately, after several plannings, Mayer discontinued the project when Nowicki died in a plane crash. The Government immediately recruited a Swiss-French architect, Le Corbusier.
He made the Dream City a Beautiful one. And his legacy to the people in Chandigarh is very empowering.
It is the Open Hand Monument ( La Main Ouverte ) which is located in Sector 1 , Capitol Complex Chandigarh. It symbolizes the philosophy of life, of struggles, of defeats, of victories, which we all encounter in our daily lives. It also means to Give and Receive, a helping hand that creates unity and peace.
