India, Aug. 4 -- Federal Cabinet ministers and the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons joined thousands of devotees on Sunday as the tallest idol of Lord Ram in North America was unveiled at a temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The statue was inaugurated on the grounds of the Hindu Heritage Center in the town of Mississauga. Among those who attended the ceremony were Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, President of the Treasury Board Shafqat Ali and Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu.

Sidhu greeted the gathering with a "Jai Shri Ram" and said the erection of the largest statue of Ram in North America was "something to be very proud of".

Also present was interim leader of the opposition C...