Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Statue of Sardar Patel on 143rd B’day
Addressing the nation after the inauguration, Modi said that the day will be remembered in the history of India.
PM Modi on Wednesday, 31 October, unveiled Sardar Patel's 'Statue of Unity' on the banks of the river Narmada in Gujarat's Kevadiya.
Addressing the nation after the inauguration, Modi said that the day will be remembered in the history of India.
“Events like today are very important in a country's history and such events are difficult to erase. It is a historic and inspiring occasion for all Indians. I am fortunate to dedicate this statue of Sardar Sahab to the nation,” he said.
He also slammed the Opposition for politicising the issue and said that remembering heroes of the nation is not a crime.
- Touted as the world’s tallest statue, the project has been completed in a record 33 months
- The statue has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze
- The foundation stone of the statue was laid by PM Modi on 31 October 2013
- Local tribal leaders allege that resources were wasted on the Statue of Unity
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Locals Wasteful Expenditure on the Statue
Locals have alleged that people's hard-earned money was wasted on projects like the Statue of Unity even though several villages of the area are still deprived of basic facilities like schools, hospitals and drinking water.
Earlier this month, tribal activists had announced that people living in 72 villages near the dam will join the protest on 31 October by not cooking food.
"We have also urged tribals of the eastern belt of Gujarat, from Dang till Ambaji, to join our protest by observing bandh that day. We are confident that the entire tribal population will stand up against the injustice" said tribal leader Anand Mazgaokar.
Gujarat Congress Targets Modi Government
The Gujarat Congress targeted the BJP government and PM Modi over the non-completion of Narmada canal network.
Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly, Paresh Dhanani, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and demanded that the Narmada project should be declared as a national project to give a "fitting tribute" to Sardar Patel.
Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela also attacked PM Modi, saying that the statue is just a "marketing tool" for the BJP.
Local Tribes to Boycott Inaugural Event
The headmen of 22 villages situated near the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Monday wrote an open letter to PM Modi, saying that villagers will not welcome him at the inauguration of the Statue of Unity on 31 October.
Local tribal leaders have also announced a boycott of the function citing destruction of natural resources due to the memorial.
"These forests, rivers, waterfalls, land and agriculture supported us for generations. We survived on them. But, everything is being destroyed now, and celebrations are also planned. Don't you think it’s akin to celebrating someone's death? We feel so," the letter signed by sarpanch of 22 villages said.
Preparations for the Inauguration of Statue of Unity
Gujarat Chief Secretary JN Singh on Monday, 29 October, visited the site to take stock of ongoing preparations.
"We have invited dance troupes from across the country to perform here during the inauguration. Air Force planes and helicopters will shower flowers on the statue during unveiling. I am here today to see how we can synchronise them," Singh told reporters.
Local Adivasis Call Statue of Unity ‘Publicity Stunt’
Just as the statue was deemed ready for inauguration, Adivasis living in the tribal belt around Sardar Patel’s statue have raised their voices in protest once again.
They claim that the state government did not seek their approval on the project and kicked them out of their lands to build the statue.
Read the full story here.
Meet Ram Sutar, the Sculptor Who Designed Statue of Unity
Everything about the Statue of Unity in Gujarat is big. It’s all about mind-boggling numbers. But ultimately, the world’s largest statue is the vision of one man – 93-year-old Ram V Sutar.
Read the full story here.
Heavy Security Deployed Ahead of Inauguration
Gujarat Police has deployed a heavy security cover in Kevadia, a town in the Narmada district of the state, ahead of the inauguration of Statue Of Unity by PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 31 October.
Tamil Nadu Ministers to Take Part in Inauguration
Tamil Nadu ministers K Pandiarajan and 'Kadambur' Raju will take part in the unveiling of the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat on Wednesday, 31 October.
A fortnight ago, Gujarat government representatives had met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and extended a formal invitation for the inauguration.
(PTI)
PM Modi's Dream is Coming True: Vijay Rupani
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday, 30 October, said that the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will be dedicated to the nation.
(ANI)
Modi Reaches Ahmedabad ahead of Inauguration Tomorrow
A day ahead of the inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ahmedabad in the later hours of Tuesday, 30 October, and was received by Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
PM Modi Remembers Sardar Patel
PM Modi on Wednesday, 31 October took to twitter to remember Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary.
Rajnath Singh, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Flag off Marathon in Delhi
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flagged off “Run for Unity” in Delhi on 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Gymnast Dipa Karmakar was also present.
A Day of Extreme Significance: Dipa Karmakar
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar said that she participates in the Marathon every year and will try her best to watch the inauguration of the Statue of Unity.
“I participated in RunForUnity last year as well. It's a day of extreme significance and I will try my best to witness the inauguration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Statue Of Unity,” she said.
The Statue Should Have Been Made Years Ago: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the Statue of Unity should have been made year ago and that the nation has paid the leader a befitting tribute.
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's statue which is the tallest in the world should have been made years ago. India has today paid tribute to a man who built India,” he said.
PM Modi Reaches Kevadiya to Inaugurate Statue of Unity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Kevadiya where he will inaugurate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Statue Of Unity.
Adivasis Observe Bandh in Narmada District
Tilakwada Taluka in Narmada district observes the Bandh call given Adivasis against inauguration of Statue of Liberty.
PM Modi Arrives at Inauguration Venue
Prime Minister Modi arrived at the inauguration venue of Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity. Party President Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani are also present.
PM Modi Unveils Sardar Patel’s ‘Statue of Unity’
PM Modi unveils Sardar Patel's 'Statue of Unity' on the bank of river Narmada in Gujarat's Kevadiya.
"This Day Will be Remembered in India's History": PM Modi Addresses Nation
PM Modi while addressing the nation after the inauguration of Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity, said that the day will be remembered in the history of India.
“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. I am fortunate to dedicate this statue of Sardar Sahab to the nation,” he said.
Slamming the Opposition of politicising the statue, he said that remembering heroes of the nation isn’t a crime.
“I am amazed when some people of our own country dare to see this initiative from a political view and criticise us like we have committed a huge crime. Is remembering country's great personalities a crime?” he said.
PM Modi Performs Puja of Statue of Unity
PM Visits Museum Dedicated to Sardar Patel
PM Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and others visited the museum and audio-visual gallery at 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Complex' near the Statue Of Unity.
Patel Statue in Being Inaugurated, India's Institutions Destroyed: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to say that while Sardar Patel’s statue is being inaugurated, but every institution he helped build is being smashed.
Raj Thackeray Takes a Jibe at Statue of Unity in a Caricature
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray took a jibe at the Statue of Unity by drawing a caricature where Sardar Patel is seen telling Modi and his ministers to work for the living while spending thousands of crores on statues of the dead.
“Rather than spending huge amount of money on building statues of the dead, why don’t you use it for the welfare of the living?” the text in Marathi read.
Subramanian Swamy Congratulates Modi Govt
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy took to Twitter to Congratulaye the PM Modi government after the Statue of Unity was unveiled.
Mayawati Hits out at Centre Over Statue of Unity
BSP Chief Mayawati hit out at the Centre saying that RSS and company should now apologise for questioning money spent by her on statues and parks in names of Dalit icons.
PM Modi Has Made Country Proud: Rajnath Singh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ‘made the country proud’ by unveiling the majestic Statue of Unity, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, 31 October.
Institutional Undermining of RBI a Betrayal of Sardar Patel's Legacy: Ahmed Patel
Congress MP Ahmed Patel said on Wednesday, 31 October, that the undermining of the RBI is a betrayal of the legacy of Sardar Patel.
(ANI)
Online Booking for Statue of Unity Visit Opened
Online booking to visit the Statue of Unity has been opened to public, with an admission fee of Rs 350 to access the 153-metre-high observation deck within the statue.
The site will open to visitors on 3 November.
Congress Never Gave Due Respect to Sardar Patel: Shivraj Chouhan
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Wednesday, 31 October, that the Congress party never gave due respect to Sardar Patel.
Statue of Unity is a Stunt: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress leader and MP Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, 31 October, slammed the Narendra Modi government for engaging ‘in a stunt’ by inaugurating the Statue of Unity.
Congress Should be Ashamed for Having Ignored Sardar Patel: Ram Vilas Paswan
The Congress party should be ashamed for having ignored the legacy of Sardar Patel despite being in power for so long, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday, 31 October.
(ANI)
'Statue of Unity' Befitting Tribute to Sardar Patel, Say His Family Members
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's family members on Wednesday hailed the 'Statue of Unity' as a "befitting tribute" to the 'Iron Man of India', saying it would help the younger generation know about his life and it should have been done much earlier by the previous governments.
(PTI)
BJP, RSS Should Apologize After Criticizing BSP For Statues: Mayawati
Hours after the inauguration of a Rs 3,000-crore statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, BSP president Mayawati demanded an apology from those who had flayed her over the statues of Dalit leaders her government had installed in Uttar Pradesh.
“All those in the BJP, the RSS and company need to apologise, especially to the people of the Bahujan Samaj, for terming the statues installed by the then BSP government to honour icons like Baba Saheb Ambedkar and others as wasteful expenditure," she said in a statement.
Patel Never Wanted to Divide People: Mamata's Jibe at Modi
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, 31 October, used the occasion of the unveiling of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's statue in Gujarat to hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the nationalist leader never wanted to divide people, but always worked for their unity.
"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel never indulged either in caste politics or politics based on religion. The great leader never wanted to divide the people, rather he always worked for their unity," Banerjee said.
"Sardar Patel also asked all leaders to look upon all the people equally, without any discrimination," she said, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of dividing people on the basis of religion and caste, instead of working for their welfare.
(PTI)