Mumbai, 31 October 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel performed the ground breaking ceremony of ‘Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan’ to be built at a cost of Rs.176-crore as part of the ‘Statue of Unity’ near the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) dam on the Narmada River near Kevadia colony on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel today.

Speaking on the occasion to a large number of tribal and other people assembled at the site, she said the Bhavan would not be just an edifice of stone but a multidimensional centre of research to study India’s struggle and with multimedia hall, humming with activity like skill development to create job opportunities.

Mrs. Patel said the Statue of Unity, as conceived by her predecessor Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate Gandhian Sardar Patel as the Maker of United India, to be taller that Statue of Liberty in the USA, to attract tourists from all over the world, and be a source of inspiration for the new generation.

She said the concept of ‘Shreshtha Bharat – Ek Bharat’ is a natural corollary to honour Sardar Patel and his stellar contribution to keep India united at the time of Independence. She said a ‘Run for Unity’ was also arranged today to involve people’s participation as a befitting tribute to the Sardar.

The Chief Minister asked the Narmada district administration and leading citizens to ensure there remains not a single house without a toilet, not a single child should die of malnutrition and check feticide.

Minister of State for Tribal Welfare Mansukhbhai Vasava said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prompted the entire administration to take India’s development story to newer heights. He congratulated Modi for announcing Sardar Patel’s birth day as National Unity Divas. MLA Motisinh Rathod and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNL), implementing the SSP, also spoke on the occasion.

Prominent among those present included Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mangubhai Patel, Chief Whip Pankaj Desai, Food Corporation Chairman Bhupendra Lakhawala, District Panchayat President Manjibhai Vasava, District In-charge Secrtetary S.J. Haider, Youth Services and Cultural Affairs Secretary and Information Commissioner Bhagyesh Jha, SSNL Joint MD K. Shrinivas, Collector Sandip Sagle and DDO N.K. Damor.