Statue Of Unity unveiled patriotically, details here
- IndiaGlitz, [Wednesday,October 31 2018]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue that pays a tribute to the legendary freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in Gujarat. Today is the icon's 143rd birth anniversary.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Modi said, This is a project that we had thought about during the time when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. To build the Statue Of Unity, lakhs of farmers from all over India came together, gave their tools, portions of soil and thus, a mass movement started. If it was not for Sardar Sahab's resolve, then we Indians would have to take a visa to see the Gir lions, pray at Somnath, or to see Hyderabad's Charminar.
He took potshots at those opposed to the statue. I am amazed when some people of our own country dare to see this initiative from a political view and criticize us like we have committed a huge crime. Is remembering the country's great personalities a crime? he asked.
Something like Rs. 2,989 crore was spent on building the statue. Its height is 182-metre and is 177 feet higher than China's Spring Temple Buddha. Padma Bhushan-winning sculptor Ram V Sutar designed it. Larsen and Toubro and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd involved about 250 engineers and 3,400 labourers to construct it in about 3 years.