THE making of Statue of Unity is a mission to take India to its greatness. It is a monument symbolising India’s unity in multiplicity and will be instrumental in creating a global influence of India,” said BJP’s Prime Ministrial candidate Shri Narendra Modi, while laying the foundation stone for the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel – Statue of Unity – at the banks of Narmada river on October 31, the 139th birth anniversary of the great leader, who united India by merging 565 princely states after Partition in 1947. Former Deputy Prime Minister Shri LK Advani was also present on the occasion.
Shri Advani while releasing a book Hind ke Sardar and a ring-tone on the occasion, said the Statue of Unity would keep acquainting the posterities with the impressive personality of Sardar Patel. He congratulated Shri Modi for his strong determination.
Shri Modi further said 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. He said the Vajpayee 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.
Shri Modi 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 like an insult to him. The party he was linked with is a history now and it cannot be denied by Narendra Modi, but our rich cultural values do not allow us to exercise such political untouchability,” he said.
The Gujarat Chief Minster said 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.
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 youth 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.
Shri Modi 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 December 15, the death anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Speaking about Sardar Patel’s efforts for uniting the farmers of India he said 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 December 15, 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.
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. Forest and Environment Minister Shri Ganpat Vasava expressed the faith that Shri Modi would also unveil it as Prime Minister of India. Speaker of State legislative assembly Vajubhai Vala, Deputy Speaker Mangubhai Patel and various ministers of Gujarat were also present on the occasion.
