Nationalism as a Symbol of Exclusion

Grandeur vs. Inclusion in India’s Politics of Imagery

• Chenab railway bridge symbolizes India’s new politics of imagery.

• The bridge’s grandeur is the primary motif of the republic.

Symbols of Exclusion: The Rise of Giant Projects

• The Statue of Unity, a Hindu-first narrative, symbolizes unity against internal foes.

• The mythos surrounding such projects often silences questions of distributive justice.

Engineering Projects and Nationalism

• The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor anchors national belonging in visual monumental forms.

• Engineering projects assert dominance and demonstrate political will and executive competence.

The Role of Engineering in Nationalism

• Engineering projects embody precision and political will.

• However, benefits rarely flow equitably.

• Large engineering projects have become instruments of progress and recalibration.