Extends invite for Oct 31 unveiling of Statue of Unity

Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasama on Tuesday said the 182 metres world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31 will inspire the youth about the contribution of Iron Man in unity of India.

“We had envisaged construction of the Statue of Unity in 2013. At that time, many people had doubted us… But the construction work began in 2014 and now, the world’s tallest statue will be dedicated to the people of the country on the 142nd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,” said Chudasama.

Chudasama led high-level State delegation to Haryana on Tuesday to invite people for the unveiling ceremony of Statue of Unity in Gujarat on October 31. The delegation comprised of Member of Parliament, Lal Singh Vadodiya, MLAs namely Babu Bhai Patel, Manisha Ben and Ratan Singh Rathore, IAS Sunaina Tomar and IPS Ajay Tomar.

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, OP Dhankar were also present on the occasion. He added after the inauguration of statue by the Prime Minister, it would be open for other guests from November 1 onwards.

Apart from this, advertisement have also been released abroad for inviting the foreign tourists to visit the Statue of Unity. The world’s tallest statue will also be a main tourist attraction now, he said.

A Shrestha Bharat Complex has been set up near the Statue of Unity which will house Bhavans of different States. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had sent a written communication to Chief Ministers of all States for setting up their respective bhavans, to which Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already consented, he said.

Chudasama added the Statue of Unity has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 2,332 crore and about 15,000 tourists from country and abroad are likely to visit the statue everyday.

It will also have museum, exhibition and research centre. The research centres would facilitate the scholars to do research work on life of great personalities like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.

Chudasama also appreciated the efforts made by the then national president of BJPs Kisan Morcha and Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, OP Dhankar in collecting iron and soil for the statue from different parts of the country.

When asked whether the Chief Ministers heading Congress-led Governments or affiliated to other political parties are invited for the October 31 ceremony, the Minister said that the Gujarat Chief Minister has written to all  Chief Ministers and invited them to attend the ceremony.