'Mini New York in Punjab': NRI builds Statue of Liberty replica on Jalandhar rooftop, goes viral

Mini Statue of Liberty on rooftop in Punjab goes viral. (Image: @PTI_News/X)

It is not every day that a rooftop becomes a talking point far beyond its neighbourhood. Yet in Jalandhar, one such home has started drawing attention from passersby and social media users alike. Something unusual sits on top of the building, breaking the usual skyline of the area. It is simple in idea, but hard to miss in reality.

A house in Punjab’s Jalandhar has drawn public attention after a small replica of the Statue of Liberty was installed on its rooftop. The structure, built by an NRI, has turned an ordinary home into a local attraction and sparked discussion online.

The man behind this unusual installation is Gurjeet Singh Matharu, who has been living in New York City for over 20 years. The replica has been placed on the fourth floor of his house in the Kishanpura area of Jalandhar. It reflects his long stay abroad and his continued connection with the city he now calls home.

As shared by PTI on X, Matharu said the idea came from his regular experience of seeing the Statue of Liberty during his time in New York. For him, the monument became closely linked with memories of his life there. Over time, he decided to bring that memory back to India in a physical form.

Matharu explained his motivation by saying, “The idea came from seeing the Statue of Liberty often in New York and keeping it as a memory of the city when I visit India each year.”

What started as a personal reminder has now become something much bigger in scale in terms of attention. Locals have begun stopping by the area just to take a look at the rooftop structure

The Statue of Liberty is widely recognised as a symbol of freedom and hope. In this case, the replica seems to represent a personal connection between two places, New York, where Matharu spent many years, and Jalandhar, where his roots remain.

An NRI in Jalandhar brings a slice of New York home! After 26 years in NYC, Gurjeet Singh Matharu installs a Statue of Liberty replica on his house—now a local attraction drawing visitors from near and far. pic.twitter.com/z6IhmWUFU8

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As images and videos of the house circulated online, reactions were quick and divided. Some users questioned the idea behind the installation, while others appreciated the personal sentiment behind it.

One user commented this may not be first unusual rooftop in Punjab. The user shared, “Mostly in Chandigarh and Mohali they build water tank in the shape of tractor, ball and other shapes now he make Statue of Liberty”

Others saw it differently and responded with appreciation. “This is such a unique way to stay connected to memories abroad,” one user wrote. Another commented, “Looks like a mini New York in Punjab, quite creative.”