Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Statue of Unity stands as a fitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and symbolizes the collective spirit of the nation. He emphasized that the monument was not just a government project but a mass movement that connected people across India, particularly from its villages.
Responding to a series of posts by the Modi Archive handle on X, the Prime Minister said, “‘Statue of Unity’ is a tribute to Sardar Patel and what is remarkable is that it was built as a result of a mass movement, where people from across India, particularly India’s villages, felt connected with this iconic statue. Do visit Kevadia and discover its grandness yourself…”
Modi Archive narrates the life journey of PM Modi through archival pictures, videos, audio recordings, letters, newspaper clips and such other material.
Earlier, the Modi Archive had shared a video tracing the origins of the idea behind the Statue of Unity. It recalled that in October 2010, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi envisioned building the world’s tallest statue to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – the Iron Man of India – and to celebrate the country’s unity and strength.
According to the video, PM Modi’s vision for the statue went beyond its physical grandeur. It was conceived as a symbol of India’s oneness and resilience, and as a reminder of the values Sardar Patel embodied in uniting more than 550 princely states after independence.
In his 2010 remarks, PM Modi had said, “Sardar Patel’s statue will remind those who question India’s existence that this nation was, is, and will remain eternal.”
The Statue of Unity, inaugurated by PM Modi on October 31, 2018, in Kevadia, Gujarat, stands at 182 meters and remains the world’s tallest statue. It has since become a major tourist destination and a global symbol of national pride and unity.