Modi to unveil Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity today
The Modi government is organising events across the country for National Unity Day
The Modi government is organising events across the country for National Unity Day
The Modi government is organising events across the country for National Unity Day
The Modi government is organising events across the country for National Unity Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Tuesday night ahead of the unveiling of the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat's Narmada district to commemorate the birth anniversary of India's first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Modi government is organising events across the country for National Unity Day in honour of Sardar Patel.
On Wednesday, Modi is expected to arrive in Kevadiya by 9am. He will visit several tourist sites associated with the Statue of Unity, including the Valley of Flowers and the Wall of Unity. Modi is expected to dedicate the Statue of Unity to the nation by 11.35am.
As part of the inauguration ceremony of the Statue of Unity, elaborate cultural programmes and a flypast by the Indian Air Force will be held.
Modi was welcomed by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Governor O.P. Kohli, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja and chief secretary J.N. Singh upon his arrival at the Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flagged off the “Run for Unity” marathon as part of birth anniversary celebrations of Sardar Patel on Wednesday morning. Similar events are being held across the country: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the Run for Unity in Chennai, while Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the event at Bhubaneswar. In Guwahati, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the Run for Unity.
The 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is touted as the world's tallest, being twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. The project has been a key element of the Modi government's attempts to highlight the legacy of Sardar Patel. However, in recent weeks, it has evoked criticism from local villagers and farmers, who complain they have been ignored by the BJP government.
(With PTI inputs)