Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled world's largest- 'Statue of Unity' on the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel this morning. The 182-metre giant structure built in honour of Patel will be dedicated to the nation.
After Modi unveiled the statue, three IAF planes flew past and created the tricolour in the sky by emitting saffron, white and green colours. Modi would also inaugurate the 'Wall of Unity' (a monument defining India's unity) near the statue.
The statue has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze, which was used for the outer cladding of the structure, according to the government statement.
The statue's construction had received opposition from some tribal groups in Narmada district.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has flagged off 'Run for Unity' at the Dhyanchand stadium in Delhi.
"This statue will provide employment to thousands of Tribals in the area. The forests which were only approachable through text books will now be accessible in real life. I'd like to urge the tourists to pay a visit to the adjoinng villages," says PM Narendra Modi.
In order to build the #StatueOfUnity, lakhs of farmers from all over India came together, gave their tools, portions of the soil and thus, a mass movement developed: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/NaXjD9Gtp4
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 31, 2018
"We are all delighted to be here, on the banks of the Narmada. Today we mark Ekta Diwas. Today is a day that will be remembered in the history of India. This is a project that we had thought about during the time I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat," said PM Modi.
Gujarat: #Visuals from the inauguration ceremony of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's #StatueOfUnity pic.twitter.com/oGEvZrtUDp
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2018
I bow to the great son of India, freedom fighter and India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary. He was the force behind India’s unity and integrity. The Nation is deeply indebted to him. pic.twitter.com/eh4pfjBl8b
— राजनाथ सिंह (@rajnathsingh) October 31, 2018
Local tribal organisations said as many as 75,000 tribals adversely affected by the Statue of Unity project would oppose the Prime Minister and the unveiling of statue at Kevadia in Narmada district.
"No food will be cooked in 72 villages affected by the entire project, as we will be mourning on that day, for the project is being carried out for our destruction," said Dr. Praful Vasava, a tribal leader. Traditionally, food is not cooked in a tribal village when they are mourning for the dead.
"The first half of 1947 was a critical period in India’s history. The end of colonial rule was certain and so was India’s partition but what was uncertain was whether there would be more than one division. Prices were rising, food shortages were common. But over and above everything else, the unity of India was under severe strain," writes PM Narendra Modi.
#WATCH: Celebrations underway near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's #StatueOfUnity in Gujarat's Kevadiya that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. #RashtriyaEktaDiwas pic.twitter.com/ioafhMipKd
— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2018