Gujarat CM lays foundation stone of world’s tallest 182-mt statue of Sardar Patel – Statue of Unity – near Sardar Sarovar dam

Kevadia Colony, 31 October 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, while laying foundation stone of the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel – Statue of Unity – at the banks of Narmada river today said the making of the statue is a mission to take India to its greatness. “It is a monument symbolizing India’s unity in multiplicity and will be instrumental in creating a global influence of India”, he said.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Statue of Unity today on the 139th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel at 12:39 pm. in the presence of former Deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani and invited dignitaries. Sardar Patel accomplished massive task of merging the 565 princely states of India, making the nation a united whole. He worked with Mahatma Gandhi for India’s freedom struggle and roped in the Indian farmers in the non-violent struggle. He was a son of a farmer and served as Deputy Prime Minister in independent India, guiding the nation in the direction of good governance.

Mr. L.K.Advani while launching a book ‘Hind ke Sardar’ and a ring-tone on the occasion said the Statue of Unity will keep acquainting the posterities with the impressive personality of Sardar Patel. He congratulated Mr. Modi for his strong determination.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Modi said that Sardar Sarovar Yojana was actually a dream of Sardar Patel. Gujarat government has constructed Narmada canals and supplied its water to not only in Gujarat but also to Rajasthan. The government has also made massive efforts to take Narmada water to Kutch. The budget expense made by the present government for Narmada water management is more than the combined expense made by all the past governments.

Mr. Modi said that Vajpayi government initiated for bringing the nation out from the mentality of slavery and taking it to the direction of self-respect by carrying out nuclear test in Pokharan. “India can create its influence over the world if it can employ its strength and capacities. With the colossal statue of Sardar Patel the nation of 125 crore people will show new path to the world using its inherent strength”, he said.

Chief Minister said the history has witnessed that Sardar Patel showed such a political personality as Chanakya had. “Sardar Patel dedicated his life for the unity of the country. To associate him with any of the party is alike an insult to him. The party he was linked with is a history now and it can not be denied by Narendra Modi, but our rich cultural values do not allow us to exercise such political untouchability”, he said.

Chief Minster said that Sardar Patel was a secular leader and yet he was not reluctant in reconstructing the Somnath temple. The secularism demonstrated by him is an ideal destination of India’s oneness. Dr. Ambedker, as the maker of our constitution also kept the nation’s integrity and progress at the core. Chief Minister said, “Ranapratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Bhagatsinh and Chandrashekhar Azad were not BJP’s patriot but they were the devotees of ‘Bharat Mata’”.

Chief Minister also said that the integrity of India itself is the true devotion to ‘Bharat Mata’. “There is a need to create an atmosphere in which the youths and future generation start feeling proud for their heritage and culture. Statue of Unity will give the inspirational message showing the path of integrity of the nation”, he said.

‘‘By constructing ‘Mahatama Mandir’ in Gandhinagar, this government has made it an inspirational source abandoning the partisan politics’’ said Chief Minister.

He called upon people to donate iron for the making of the Statue of Unity so that the message of unity starts reverberating throughout the country from 15th December, death anniversary of Sardar Patel.

Speaking about Sardar Patel’s efforts for uniting the farmers of India Chief Minister said that the farmers and villagers of India have joined in the creation of ‘Statue of Unity’. Sardar Patel was the farmer’s son and also the leader of the farmers and that’s why on the 15th December, death anniversary of Sardar Patel, there will be a march ahead to collect the farmers’ tools from every village so that farmers can feel proud of their contribution in the monument of of Sardar Patel.

“I, once again ask Prime Minister to allow constructing gates over Sardar Sarovar dam so that the waters of Narmada don’t limit to Gujarat but also will help Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh”, Mr. Modi said mentioning that the project is only awaiting approval from Narmada Control Authority and it should be promptly given without political discrimination.

Responding to the local tribal sentiments Mr. Modi announced to make a separate taluka of Garudeshwar and providing irrigation water to the farmers of villages situated on the left bank of Narmada canal.

Speaking on the occasion Gujarat Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel said the construction of the tallest statue of Sardar Patel is a historic work not only for India but for entire world. She said the statue will prove to be a monument which India would take proud upon. She expressed respects for Sardar Patel for his contribution in India’s freedom struggle and in making India a united nation. She expressed faith that the achievements made by Gujarat during Mr. Modi’s 12 years’ administration have infused hope in the people of the nation.

Forest and Environment Minister Ganpat Vasava expressed faith that Mr. Modi, who laid foundation stone of the Sardar’s statue, will also unveil it as the Prime Minister of India. He said the whole world will take note of the Statue of Unity and that the statue would be instrumental in keeping the India’s dignity alive.

Speaker of State legislative assembly Vajubhai Vala, Deputy Speaker Mangubhai Patel, State Cabinet Ministers Nitin Patel, Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Babubhai Bokhiriya, BJP’s national office bearers Om Mathur, Smriti Irani, Balbir Punj, Mukhtar Abbas Naqavi, Purshottam Rupala, State party president R.C.Faladu, local MPs Ramsinh Rathava, Mansukh Vasava, MLAs Shabdasharan Tadavi and Motilal Vasava, presidents of district panchayats, chairmen of corporations, leaders from all the districts and people in large number were present on the occasion. Chief Secretary Varesh Sinha, MD of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam J.N.Singh and high officials of state administration were also present on the occasion.