Statue is reminder of Patel’s courage, says Modi

Kevadiya (Guj), Oct. 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated an imposing 182metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel here and said the world’s tallest monument will serve as a reminder about his courage to thwart conspiracy to disintegrate India.

He used the occasion to slam those criticising the decision to build the monument, questioning whether any crime had been committed by constructing such memorials for national heroes like Patel.

The giant monument, named as the ‘Statue of Unity’ and built on an islet Sadhu Bet near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat’s Narmada district, is twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in the US and taller than the 153-metre Spring Temple Buddha in China. The monument was conceptualised by Mr Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and he had laid the foundation stone for it in 2013.

Patel, the first home minister of Independent India, is credited with merging 550 princely states into the Union of India. He had used force to annex princely states of Junagadh ruled by Nawab and Hyderabad ruled by nizam, both of whom had wished not to merge their states with the India union. Wednesday’s ceremony, which coincided with the 143rd birth anniversary of Patel, also known as the ‘Iron man of India’, was attended by Gujarat governor O.P. Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and BJP chief Amit Shah besides a number of other leaders hailing from Gujarat.

The function was marked by a flypast by Air Force planes and helicopters and a cultural show.

Built at a cost of `2,989 crore, the height of the statue is 182 metres, including the base of 25 metres.

“The world’s tallest statue would remind the entire world, the future generations about the courage, capabilities and resolution of the person who did this holy work of thwarting the conspiracy to disintegrate Mother India into pieces,” the Prime Minister said.

“The statue will remind those who question India’s existence, that this nation was, is and will remain eternal,” Mr Modi said.

The statue is conceived as a naturalistic depiction of Sardar Patel in characteristic garb in a walking pose. — PTI