NEW DELHI: On the occasion of the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while paying homage to the freedom fighter, hailed him as the "stalwart who unified India."
"We bow to the great Sardar Patel, the stalwart who unified India and served the nation tirelessly, on his Jayanti," he tweeted.
Earlier today, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid floral tribute to Sardar Patel in New Delhi.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will unveil the 182-metre long 'Statue of Unity' on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), which is observed every year on the birthday of India's first home minister.
Located in Sadhu-Bet Island, Gujarat, the statue occupies over 20,000 square meters and is surrounded by a 12 square km artificial lake. Twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty, the figurine is believed to be the tallest statue in the world. The total project cost is estimated to be Rs. 2,989 crore.
The National Unity Day is also being celebrated by scores of citizens and politicos by participating in the 'Run for Unity' marathon being held across the country.