New York: The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.
The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.
Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.
The ceremony drew several prominent figures from across the region, including local mayors and civic leaders, alongside members of the Indian-American community and representatives from nearby city councils.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Wilson highlighted that the installation reflects Seattle’s inclusive ethos and deepens cultural connections between India and the diverse communities of the US Pacific Northwest.
The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) as part of India’s cultural outreach efforts. The unveiling coincided with ICCR Day, underscoring the role of such initiatives in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the United States.
Swami Vivekananda, a 19th-century philosopher and spiritual leader, is widely credited with introducing Indian philosophies such as Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. The sculpture has been created by noted Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, whose works have been installed in over 80 countries, symbolising India’s cultural presence globally.
