PM unveils the world’s tallest statue – Statue of Unity in Gujarat
Prime Minister Inaugurates the Statue of Unity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Statue of Unity – the world’s tallest statue at 182 metres – built in honour of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Wednesday, 31st October 2018 – which marks the 143rd birth anniversary of Patel. The statue stands on Sadhu island on the Narmada in Gujarat and is said to be twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in the US.
Modi poured soil and Narmada water into a ‘kalash’ to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. He also did a virtual “abhishek” of the statue with the help of a lever.
“Today the entire country is celebrating Rashtriya Ekta Divas (National Unity Day) to mark the birth anniversary of Patel. The youth is participating in the Run for Unity. I would like to congratulate them all. The patriotism is the foundation on which our culture is built,” said the PM.
“Today is a day that will be remembered in the history of India. No Indian will ever forget this day. Events like today are very very important in a country’s history and such events are difficult to erase. It is a historic and inspiring occasion for all Indians. It is Patel’s efforts that have led our country to what it is today”, said Modi
“It is my honour that I got a chance to pay the tribute to the great man. When I visualized the project, I had never thought that I would unveil it as the prime minister of the country. The event portrays the face of united India. I also thank the people of Gujarat for welcoming him,” he added
The Statue of Unity is built in dedication to Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as the first home minister of independent India. Sardar Patel is credited with uniting all 562 princely states in pre-independent India to build the Republic of India, hence the name of the statue became Statue of Unity.
Located on the Sadhu Bet island, near Rajpipla on the Narmada river, the Statue of Unity is located between the Satpura and the Vindhya mountain ranges. A 3.5 km highway will be used to connect the statue to Gujarat’s Kevadia town.