The Prime Minister has inaugurated the world’s tallest statue, the ‘Statue of Unity,’ which stands as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Designed by Padma Bhushan recipient sculptor Ram V. Sutar, the statue was unveiled in Kevadiya, in the Narmada district of Gujarat. The commemoration also coincided with the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the man who played a crucial role in uniting over 560 princely states in pre-independent India to form the Republic of India.
About the Statue of Unity
The ‘Statue of Unity’ stands 182 meters tall, making it the tallest statue in the world. It overshadows China’s Spring Temple Buddha statue by 23 meters and is almost double the height of the Statue of Liberty in the US which stands at 93 meters. Located on the Sadhu Bet island, it oversees the Narmada river, nestled between the Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges.
The statue houses a viewing gallery at 153 meters, which can accommodate 200 people simultaneously, and provides a panoramic view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The structure is made up of three layers: the innermost layer comprises two 127 meter high reinforced cement concrete (RCC) towers that rise up to the statue’s chest. The next layer is a steel structure and the outermost layer features an 8 mm bronze cladding.
Construction of the Statue
The construction was completed within three-and-a-half years by a team of more than 3,000 workers, including 300 engineers from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), a key infrastructure company. The intricate bronze cladding work was executed by the Jiangxi Toqine Company (JTQ), a famed Chinese foundry.
| Facts about the Statue of Unity |
|---|
| Height of the statue: 182 meters |
| Viewing gallery height: 153 meters |
| Construction time: 3.5 years |
| Workforce: Over 3000 workers |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The Man Behind the Legacy
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an influential political and social leader who guided India’s integration into a united, independent nation post-independence. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, Patel organized non-violent civil disobedience movements in Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat against the repressive policies of British Raj.
As the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel was instrumental in organizing relief measures for refugees in Punjab and Delhi, as well as leading initiatives to restore peace across the nation. Known as the ‘Iron Man of India,’ he is also hailed as the “Patron Saint” of India’s civil servants for his role in establishing modern all-India services.
‘Run for Unity’ and ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’
In honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 143rd birth anniversary, a marathon titled ‘Run for unity’ has been organized in various parts of the country. Furthermore, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,’ an initiative aimed at promoting understanding and bonding between different states and union territories, was announced on Sardar Patel’s 140th birth anniversary in 2015. It aims to strengthen the unity and integrity of India by broadening awareness of the culture, traditions, and practices of different regions.