STATUE OF UNITY
STATUE OF UNITY
The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and Independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st. Oct.1875–15th. Dec.1950) who was the first deputy prime minister of India and the chief adherent of Mahatma Gandhi during the non-violent Indian Independence Movement; highly respected for his leadership in uniting the 562 princely states of India to form the single large Union Of India without any bloodshed. It is located in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the world's tallest statue with a height of 182 metres (597 ft). It is located on a river island facing the Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada in Kevadiya Colony, 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of the city of Vadodara.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- Biography
Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat, on October 31,1875 (His birth anniversary is now observed as National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
Patel practised law at Godhra, Borsad, and Anand in Gujarat, after passing the bar examination. He earned the reputation of being a fierce and skilled lawyer.
Patel joined the Congress and became the secretary of the Gujarat Sabha that became a Congress stronghold later.On Gandhi’s call, Patel quit his hard-earned job and joined the movement to fight for exemption of taxes in Kheda at the time of plague and famine (1918).
Patel joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and travelled around West India to recruit 3,00,000 members. He also collected more than Rs 1.5 million for the party fund.There was a British law banning the hoisting of the Indian Flag. When Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned, it was Patel who led the Satyagraha movement in Nagpur in 1923 against the British law.
It was the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 which earned Vallabhbhai Patel the title of Sardar and made him popular throughout the country. So great was the impact that Pandit Motilal Nehru suggested Vallabhbhai's name to Gandhiji for the Presidency of the Congress.
Patel worked extensively against alcohol consumption, untouchability, caste discrimination and for women emancipation in Gujarat and outside.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – As Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
After Independence, he became India’s first Deputy Prime Minister. On the first anniversary of Independence, Patel was appointed as the Home Minister of India. He was also in charge of the States Department and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
As the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel organised relief efforts for refugees fleeing from Punjab and Delhi and worked to restore peace.
In what was to become Sardar Patel’s most lasting legacy, he took charge of the States Department and was responsible for the accession of 565 princely states into the Union of India. Paying tribute to him, Nehru called Sardar "The Builder and Consolidator Of New India".
However, the invaluable services of Sardar Patel were available to independent India for just 3 years. The brave son of India died on 15 December 1950 (aged 75), after suffering a massive heart attack.
About The Project
The monument compound is spread across 20,000 square metres, surrounded by a 12 km artificial lake.The project was carried out by a Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) which was established for this purpose. The magnanimous Statue is designed by the Indian Sculptor, Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar and was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel's birth.
The project was first announced in 2010 and the construction of statue started in October 2013 by Larsen & Toubro, who received the contract for 2,989 crore. The statue was built by Public Private Partnership model, with most of the money raised by the Government Of Gujarat. The Gujarat state government had allotted 6 billion (US$83 million) for the project in the budget from 2012 to 2015. In the 2014–15 Union Budget, 2 billion (US$28 million) were allocated for the construction of the statue.Funds were also contributed by Public Sector Undertakings under Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.
Tourism
More than 1,25,000 tourists have visited the monument since it was made open to the public on 1st November 2018. The statue complex has five regions of which only three have been made accessible to the public. The first zone at the base of the statue has a museum which displays articles and items commemorating the life of Patel and his various contributions to the making of free India.
The audio-visual gallery situated adjacent to it shows a 15-minute presentation on Patel and also showcases the beautiful tribal culture of the state to promote tourism. The statue has become the tallest statue in the world after beating the record of the previous record holder, the Spring Temple Buddha in China which stands at a lofty height of 153 meters.
Statue of Unity – the enormous statue of renowned freedom fighter and the first Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India, is an extraordinary memorial for the great leader.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the Statue of Unity has indeed been successful in stealing the show globally. The sculpture is a symbol of the growing economic strength of India. On the other hand, it also showcases the crafting skills of Indian engineers.
In the coming days, the statue would eventually turn into the biggest center of attraction and flourish the tourism business in the country. The whole designing, constructing, and maintenance requirements have also created enormous job opportunities for a large number of people.
Thus,on a larger level,The Statue of Unity has certainly emerged as the ‘Pride of the Nation’ for more than one reasons.
It was the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 which earned Vallabhbhai Patel the title of Sardar and made him popular throughout the country. So great was the impact that Pandit Motilal Nehru suggested Vallabhbhai's name to Gandhiji for the Presidency of the Congress.
Patel worked extensively against alcohol consumption, untouchability, caste discrimination and for women emancipation in Gujarat and outside.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – As Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
After Independence, he became India’s first Deputy Prime Minister. On the first anniversary of Independence, Patel was appointed as the Home Minister of India. He was also in charge of the States Department and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
As the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel organised relief efforts for refugees fleeing from Punjab and Delhi and worked to restore peace.
In what was to become Sardar Patel’s most lasting legacy, he took charge of the States Department and was responsible for the accession of 565 princely states into the Union of India. Paying tribute to him, Nehru called Sardar "The Builder and Consolidator Of New India".
However, the invaluable services of Sardar Patel were available to independent India for just 3 years. The brave son of India died on 15 December 1950 (aged 75), after suffering a massive heart attack.
About The Project
The monument compound is spread across 20,000 square metres, surrounded by a 12 km artificial lake.The project was carried out by a Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) which was established for this purpose. The magnanimous Statue is designed by the Indian Sculptor, Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar and was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel's birth.
The project was first announced in 2010 and the construction of statue started in October 2013 by Larsen & Toubro, who received the contract for 2,989 crore. The statue was built by Public Private Partnership model, with most of the money raised by the Government Of Gujarat. The Gujarat state government had allotted 6 billion (US$83 million) for the project in the budget from 2012 to 2015. In the 2014–15 Union Budget, 2 billion (US$28 million) were allocated for the construction of the statue.Funds were also contributed by Public Sector Undertakings under Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.
Tourism
More than 1,25,000 tourists have visited the monument since it was made open to the public on 1st November 2018. The statue complex has five regions of which only three have been made accessible to the public. The first zone at the base of the statue has a museum which displays articles and items commemorating the life of Patel and his various contributions to the making of free India.
The audio-visual gallery situated adjacent to it shows a 15-minute presentation on Patel and also showcases the beautiful tribal culture of the state to promote tourism. The statue has become the tallest statue in the world after beating the record of the previous record holder, the Spring Temple Buddha in China which stands at a lofty height of 153 meters.
Statue of Unity – the enormous statue of renowned freedom fighter and the first Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India, is an extraordinary memorial for the great leader.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the Statue of Unity has indeed been successful in stealing the show globally. The sculpture is a symbol of the growing economic strength of India. On the other hand, it also showcases the crafting skills of Indian engineers.
In the coming days, the statue would eventually turn into the biggest center of attraction and flourish the tourism business in the country. The whole designing, constructing, and maintenance requirements have also created enormous job opportunities for a large number of people.
Thus,on a larger level,The Statue of Unity has certainly emerged as the ‘Pride of the Nation’ for more than one reasons.
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