The deep admiration of Lokendra Sahu, a resident of Devgahan village in Balod district, for Indian cricketer Surya Kumar Yadav has captured widespread attention. Driven by his dedication, Lokendra spent around two lakh rupees earned from his farming to commission a detailed statue of the cricketer. He traveled all the way to Mumbai to present this unique creation on September 14, which marked the birthday of Surya Kumar Yadav. However, during their meeting, the cricketer chose not to keep the gift for himself, returning it to Lokendra with a specific message and request.
The Meeting and Details of the Statue
Sharing details of his interaction, Lokendra explained that he recently met Surya Kumar Yadav in Mumbai to hand over the statue on his birthday. Upon seeing the artwork, the cricketer was visibly delighted and astonished by the intricate detailing. He closely examined the height, the size of the neck, and the width of the chest, praising the remarkable likeness and asking how it was crafted with such precision. According to Lokendra, Surya Kumar Yadav returned the statue while suggesting that it should be installed in his native village right where a statue of Sachin Tendulkar already stands. Furthermore, the cricketer promised to visit the village in Chhattisgarh soon to unveil it personally, a gesture that has left Lokendra overjoyed.
The Inspiration Behind the Tribute
Lokendra noted that his admiration stems not just from Surya Kumar Yadav athletic prowess but also from his social initiatives. He was deeply moved when the cricketer decided to donate his match fee from the Asia Cup tournament to the families of martyrs and affected citizens following the Pahalgam attack. Motivated by this deep respect, Lokendra utilized his farming income to fund the creation of the statue. Taking about a month and a half to complete, the piece was meticulously sculpted jointly by Narendra Dewangan, a sculptor from Balod district, and Jaipal Thakur from Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh.
Honoring Fallen Soldiers
This is not Lokendra Sahu's first tribute of its kind. Previously, he sold a portion of his agricultural land to build statues honoring eighteen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation along his village roadside. These memorials include brave personnel who lost their lives in the Kargil War, the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the Pulwama attack, and various Naxalite incidents in Chhattisgarh. Lokendra now hopes that Surya Kumar Yadav will visit Devgahan to officially unveil these memorials alongside his own statue. The assurance of a visit from the star cricketer has generated immense excitement and anticipation among the villagers.
