PM to inaugurate Sardar Patel’s statue on Oct 31: Gujarat Min

CHANDIGARH: Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasama said that 182 meters tall Statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the tallest in the world, would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narender Modi on October 31. The statue would be dedicated to Patel on his 142nd birth anniversary. It would inspire the coming generation about the contribution of the Iron Man in the unity of India.

Chudasama, who was leading a high-level delegation to Haryana, was addressing a press conference, here on Tuesday. Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, OP Dhankar were also present on this occasion.

The delegation comprised of Member of Parliament, Lal Singh Vadodiya, MLAS namely Babu Bhai Patel, Manisha Ben and Ratan Singh Rathore, IAS, Sunaina Tomar and IPS, Ajay Tomar.

Chudasama also invited the people of Haryana to visit the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

He said Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had made unique contribution in bringing 546 princely states together for the unity and harmony of the nation. To pay tribute to a leader of high stature and to ensure that his contribution did not remain confined to holidays and books, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had decided to construct a unique monument of Sardar Patel at Sadhu Bet near Sardar Sarovar, Kevadiya Colony, 3.2 km away and situated in downriver place of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The objective was to inspire future generations from the life and deeds of Sardar Patel, he added.

He said a Shrestha Bharat Complex has been set up near the Statue of Unity which would house Bhavans of different states. Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani has sent a written communication to Chief Ministers of all states for setting up their respective bhavans, to which Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already consented. He said that after the inauguration of statue by the Prime Minister in October end, it would be open for other guests from November 1 onwards. Apart from this, advertisement has also been released abroad also for inviting the foreign tourists to visit the Statue of Unity.

Chudasama said that the Statue of Unity has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 2,332 crore and about 15,000 tourists from country and abroad are likely to visit the statue everyday. It would also have museum, exhibition and research centre.