Which state government has planned to install a 221 metre bronze statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya as a major pilgrimage attraction?

Introduction / Context:
Ayodhya is a major pilgrimage centre associated with Lord Ram in Indian culture and religion. In recent years, proposals for very tall statues and large temple projects have been widely reported in the news. This question checks whether you know which state government proposed the 221 metre bronze statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, linking general knowledge of current affairs with basic Indian geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A 221 metre bronze statue of Lord Ram is planned in Ayodhya. • Ayodhya is a city in northern India associated with Lord Ram. • We must identify the state government that took this initiative.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to remember where Ayodhya is located and which state government administers it. Ayodhya lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Sarayu river. Therefore, any large infrastructure or cultural project in Ayodhya is planned by the Uttar Pradesh state government. Although other states have also installed big statues, such as Gujarat with the Statue of Unity, the specific Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya is a project of Uttar Pradesh.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Ayodhya, associated with Lord Ram, is located in Uttar Pradesh. Step 2: Understand that state level decisions about city projects are taken by the government of that particular state. Step 3: Recognise that news about the 221 metre Lord Ram statue mentioned the Uttar Pradesh government and Ayodhya together. Step 4: Check the options. Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh do not contain Ayodhya. Step 5: Therefore the correct answer is Uttar Pradesh, the state where Ayodhya is located.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify from news articles and current affairs summaries that the proposal for a very tall Lord Ram statue near the Saryu river in Ayodhya is a flagship cultural project of the Uttar Pradesh government. Gujarat is associated with the Statue of Unity of Sardar Patel, which helps distinguish these two large statue projects.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat: Known for the Statue of Unity near Kevadia, but Ayodhya is not in Gujarat. Uttarakhand: Contains pilgrimage towns like Haridwar and Rishikesh but not Ayodhya. Himachal Pradesh: Mountainous state with its own temples but unrelated to the Ayodhya project. Madhya Pradesh: Central Indian state, not the location of Ayodhya.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is confusing different mega statue projects in India. Some learners quickly think of Gujarat because of the Statue of Unity and may select it without carefully noting that the question is about Ayodhya and Lord Ram. Always pay attention to both the deity or person represented and the city location before deciding which state government is involved.

Final Answer:
The 221 metre bronze statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya is planned by the government of Uttar Pradesh.