Orissa's sand sculptor pays tribute to 9/11 victims

Puri Beach (Orissa): Sudarsan Pattnaik, an internationally acclaimed sand artist, sculpted a gigantic model of the new United States Tower of Freedom in sand here on Friday.

Pattnaik's artistic tribute was created on the eighth anniversary of the attack.

Pattnaik created a seven feet high replica of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre with the flag of United States using five tonnes of sand in about seven hours.

The sculpture carried the message of 'Power of Freedom' and condemned terrorism.

"We are very saddened by the loss of innocent lives in the US attack. Thus we have recreated the miniature model of the twin towers of freedom on sand. And this way we are paying tribute to the victims of the September 9/11 victims," said Sudarsan Pattnaik.

Locals were enthusiastic about Pattnaik's efforts an said the new tower gives the message that terrorism cannot stall life.

"The model recreated by Sudarsan Pattnaik gives the message that life never stops. No matter how much militants attempts to stall life but life never stops. This new model spreads this message among the people," said Monalisa Sahu, a local.

Pattnaik has participated in 39 international sand sculpture championships and won many awards, he has also been making sand sculpture on various issues of national and global interest. (ANI)