KUALA LUMPUR: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak are set to inaugurate the 'Torana' Gate at Brickfields at 12.30pm.
The gate, which is a gift from the Indian government to Malaysia, is a mark of continued friendship between both countries.
Construction of the gate was first announced by former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in 2010 and the installation of the gate was done by local developer MRCB Engineering Sdn Bhd on Aug 20 this year.
The design of the gate was done by Aksaya Jain and Associates and it is identical to the "Great Stupa" at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India.
The height of the gate was about 10 metres and width of 7.3 metres. The main structure is covered with sandstone sculptured blocks made in India and sent to Malaysia in blocks to fit the size of the Gate's pillar structure.
The carvings on the block are jewellery patterned floral and geometric-shapes while the remainder of the sculptures are motifs of animals.
Aparts from the carvings, the gate also consists of granite slabs, bollard sculptures carved out of solid stone and low stone fenced wall.
According to a statement from the Federal Territories Ministry, Little India was chosen as a suitable site for the gate because the place was amongst the earliest Indian community's settlement in this country.
"The Torana Gate herein augments the cultural characteristics of the local people of Indian origin.
"It could serve as yet another tourist attraction of domestic and foreign significance.
"Torana Gate is not only a symbol of the friendship between India and Malaysia, but it is also a symbol of unity and understanding amidst established ethnic diversity in Malaysia," said the statement.
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