60-foot long sand tricolour at Puri beach to mark countrys 60th freedom anniversary

Noted sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik of Orissa has sculpted a 60 feet long image of the national flag alongside the face of Mahatma Gandhi using tri-coloured sand to mark 60 years of Indian independence at Puri Beach here. The images presented in the colours of the tricolour (Indian national flag) captivated a lot of tourists.

By Sarada LahangirBhubaneshwar, Aug.15 : Noted sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik of Orissa has sculpted a 60 feet long image of the national flag alongside the face of Mahatma Gandhi using tri-coloured sand to mark 60 years of Indian independence at Puri Beach here. The images presented in the colours of the tricolour (Indian national flag) captivated a lot of tourists.

Patnaik, who has dedicated the art to the martyrs of Indian freedom struggle, prepared the images along with his team.

"To celebrate the 60 years of independence we have made this 60 feet long national flag on sand. We dedicate this to our freedom fighters. I have made Gandhiji's face with the flag so that he can 'see' it flowing freely as the national carries on its progress," said Patnaik.

Around 20 students from his Golden Sand Art School assisted Patnaik in this endeavour that took nearly six hours to complete.

The image received appreciation of one and all tourists visiting the Puri Beach.

"It is fantastic, it's beautiful. India has achieved so much in the 60 years. It is a young nation with a bright future," said Helen Fletcher, an English tourist.

Besides, the lengthy sand flag, volunteers from some NGOs have created a huge tri-colour design made up of flowers.

ANI