PM Modi unveils world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel

October 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat. The 182m-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is situated at Kevadiya in Narmada district. It is the world’s tallest statue, trumping China’s Spring Temple Buddha whose height is 128m. On the 143rd birth anniversary of the leader, PM Modi gifted the engineering marvel to the country. As soon as PM Modi unveiled the statue, three Indian Air Force planes flew past Sardar Patel figure and created the tricolour in the sky.

The ‘Statue of Unity’ in honour of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The statue is built on Sadhu Bet Island on Narmada River. Standing tall at 182 metres from the ground and 240 metres from the Narmada river base, it is expected to be a tourists’ paradise.

Sardar Patel’s family lauded Prime Minister Modi for giving the ‘Iron Man’ his long overdue. Addressing the gathering, Modi said that the Statue of Unity will remind the world about the courage of the man who thwarted attempts to disintegrate India

Exactly five years ago, PM Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, laid the foundation for this ambitious project. This kick-started his 2014 election campaign. 3,000 workers and 250 engineers were dedicated by Larsen & Toubro for the project. Though the statue was designed and made in India, the bronze panels were cast in China’s foundry as no Indian company could handle this project.

To make the statue’s face similar to Iron Man’s, L&T approached renowned sculptor Ram V. Sutar from Noida. He then contacted several historians, went through over 2,000 photos of Sardar, and came up with the design. The engineers also took efforts to ensure the statue withstands wind speed up to 130 km per hour and earthquakes up to 6.5 on Richter scale.

However, not everyone is happy it seems with the statue. 1,500 farmers of four districts – Chhota Udepur, Panchmahals, Vadodara and Narmada are upset that their Rs. 12 crore due hasn’t been cleared. They had sold 2.62 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. Tribal leaders of villages near Sardar Sarovar Dam have also stated they won’t welcome PM Modi at the inauguration. “These forests, rivers, waterfalls, land, and agriculture supported us. 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 tribal leaders said in a letter to PM Modi.