Paris: A new sculpture depicting the traditional Indian gesture of ‘Namaste’ was unveiled on Tuesday at a prominent roundabout in Bussy-Saint-Georges, a Greater Paris suburb, highlighting the cultural ties and growing friendship between France and India.

The sculpture, featuring two folded hands, was unveiled by Bussy-Saint-Georges Mayor Yann Dubosc, Consular Minister of India K. G. Praveen Kumar, and Anandswarupdas Swami, representing His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, along with senior swamis of the nearby BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir.

Installed at the roundabout on Avenue du Général-de-Gaulle, the sculpture is designed to welcome visitors and residents entering the town. The traditional Indian gesture of Namaste is widely associated with respect, humility and a warm welcome.

The installation also reflects the multicultural character of Bussy-Saint-Georges, where a number of public landmarks celebrate the histories, cultures and traditions of different communities.

Symbol of French-Indian Friendship
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mayor Yann Dubosc highlighted the longstanding relationship between France and India and described Bussy-Saint-Georges as a place where different cultures and traditions come together.

The Mayor said the folded hands represent peace and compassion, while also symbolising the meeting of French and Indian cultures, traditions and civilisations.

He described the town as a unique space where communities from different backgrounds coexist and concluded the ceremony by extending a formal welcome to those gathered with the words, “Namaste.”

Véronique Lacroix, Head of Public Spaces for Bussy-Saint-Georges, also took part in the ceremony and was recognised for her efforts in helping establish the roundabout and install the sculpture. Deputy Mayor Marc Nougayrol and Chief of Staff Cédric Tartaud-Gineste also attended the event on behalf of the Mayor’s office.

Indian Heritage and French Values
India’s Consular Minister K. G. Praveen Kumar said the sculpture represented India’s civilisational heritage as well as French ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.

He also highlighted France’s secular traditions and said the installation reflected the successful integration of the Indian community into French society while allowing it to preserve and celebrate its cultural heritage.

Anandswarupdas Swami spoke about the significance of humility represented by the folded hands. He said humility encourages people to learn from and respect others and to serve the community.

He noted that these values, which are deeply rooted in Indian culture, also resonate with French traditions of courtesy, consideration, dignity, respect and human fellowship.

Landmark Ahead of Cultural Festival
The unveiling took place on the eve of a 13-day Festival of Culture in Bussy-Saint-Georges, organised to mark the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir.

The temple is described as the first traditionally designed stone Hindu temple in France and is set to become a significant cultural and religious landmark for the Indian community and the wider public.

The new Namaste sculpture adds to Bussy-Saint-Georges’ collection of cultural landmarks. Among the existing installations are a three-headed elephant at the Rond-Point du Laos, symbolising peace and tolerance; a sandstone Bayon sculpture at the Rond-Point Phnom Penh, reflecting Cambodian heritage and values of compassion and kindness; and Le Rêve de la Mère at the Rond-Point Saïgon, commemorating the experiences of Vietnamese refugees.

BAPS Community Service in France
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has been active in France for more than five decades, with its activities reflecting the close relationship between France and India.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BAPS volunteers in Paris supported elderly people, those in need and frontline workers by providing food, essential supplies and moral support.

BAPS volunteers from Paris also joined international teams responding to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. In the Polish city of Rzeszów, volunteers from several countries provided around 1,000 hot vegetarian meals each day to evacuees from different faiths and nationalities, while also supporting relief efforts and providing emotional care to refugees.

The unveiling of the Namaste sculpture marks another chapter in the cultural exchange between France and India, while reinforcing Bussy-Saint-Georges’ identity as a town that celebrates diversity, coexistence and cultural understanding.