Aluva: Mahatma Gandhi’s rock statue, built beneath the mango tree planted by Gandhiji in 1925 at UC College, Aluva, will be unveiled on Friday. The statue has been erected to commemorate the centenary of Gandhi’s visit to the iconic college. Dr Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of the Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, will unveil the statue at 11.30 am on August 16.

It was on March 18, 1925, that Mahatma Gandhi visited UC College and planted a mango tree on the campus. The gigantic rock statue, which weighs four tonnes, measures six feet in length and 4.5 feet in height. It was created by noted sculptor Maraprabhu Ramachandran. The words written by Gandhiji in the visitors’ diary have also been inscribed on the statue.

College manager Dr KP Ousep, principal Dr Mini Alice, and bursar Dr Sibu Modayil said the rock used for the statue was obtained from a mountain near Paniyali Poru.