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.