PM Modi unveils word's tallest Statue of Unity in honour of Patel, flays 'political prism'

Agencies
October 31, 2018

Kevadiya, Oct 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday dedicated to the nation the much- awaited 182-metre high Statue of Unity in honour of coutry's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Mr Modi urged critics not to dismiss his government's efforts to pay tributes to icons like Patel with 'political prism'. 

Paying rich tributes to Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister said the towering statue will serve as a reminder about the courage and firm political commitment of a man who brought in unity among all princely states in 1947 and later and thwarted efforts to disintegrate India.

Built on Sadhu Bet Island on Narmada river, the imposing statue is twice as high as the 93-metre Statue of Liberty in New York and surpasses the China's Spring Temple Buddha by about 29 metres. 

He lashed out at those skeptics and political detractors who try to see his government's efforts to show due respect to great sons of India such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with 'political prism'.

"At times, they give an impression as if by remembering the contributions of great sons of India like Sardar Patel is an offence. Is it an offence?," Mr Modi said. 

The remarks from the Prime Minister came even as critics and a section of citizens on social network and micro blogging site Twitter have tried to suggest that showing tributes to the legacy of Patel was akin to election gimmick.

Three Indian Air Force planes flew past the Patel figure and created the tricolour in the sky on the occasion graced among others by Gujarat Governor O P Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, BJP chief Amit Shah, Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala.

The grand ceremony coincided with Patel's 143rd birth anniversary. Originally, the concept of such a grand statue was conceptualised by Mr Modi in 2010 during his stint as the Gujarat Chief Minister.

"It is in fitness of things that Sardar Patel's birthday today is being celebrated as Ekta Diwas in the country," Mr Modi said.

He said it goes to the visionary statesmanship of Sardar Patel that the fundamental right is today inherent part of India's democracy.

Approximately 70,000 tonnes of cement in addition to 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel and 6000 tonnes of structural steel have been used to build the statue - also billed as an architectural wonder.

"Had Sardar Patel not united the country, we would need visas to see lions in Gujarat or pay homage at Somnath or view the Charminar in Hyderabad," Mr Modi said, lauding the stellar role played by Sardar Patel in integrating the princely states after the partition of 1947.

PM Modi described the Statue of Unity as a symbol of the country's engineering and technical capabilities. He also took part in a 'pooja' on the occasion.

He also recorded appreciation of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states and said their 'sacrifice' and decision to merge with Indian union was no less.

A viewing gallery has been created at a height of 135 metres at the venue to enable tourists to have a view of the dam and nearby mountain ranges.

This Statue will boost tourism and help local tribals get a regular source of income, Mr Modi said.

The world's largest statue is also a symbol of 'New India' as being envisioned by his government, Mr Modi said.

"This statue is recognition of contribution of tribals and farmers who contributed iron pieces and their sincerity for the unique statue," the Prime Minister said.

"When I proposed this Statue on October 31, 2010, I wanted that the man deserves his due place in Indian history," the Prime Minister said. 

"There were skeptics who thought India's diversity will be a weakness. Sardar Patel proved the prophets of doom wrong. During the time of such skepticism, it was Sardar Patel who stood as a symbol of unity," the Prime Minister said.

Sardar Patel had the unique synthesis of 'Kautiyla's diplomacy and Shivaji's bravery', Mr Modi said.

Comments

Anti-modi
 - 
Thursday, 1 Nov 2018

when you vote for a man who always lie then your futur will be in danger, the day will come to india that they will be all poor people and all political people are rich and dont think thast they will develop hindu people, you are the most effected people in india not muslim or cristian.

 

 

softman
 - 
Wednesday, 31 Oct 2018

Use this money for poor in the name Sardar Patel.

 

Foolish decision to spend for statue

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Agencies
July 8,2020

The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has urged Muslims to take precautions during Eid ul-Adha (Bakrid), to be celebrated in the last week of July, and has issued guidelines on offering prayers and sacrifices.

"The namaz should be offered by adhering to the social distancing norms at eidgahs and mosques. Muslims should offer the Eid prayer at home in the same manner as they had done during Eid ul-Fitr in areas where restrictions have been imposed due to COVID-19," it said.

For the sacrifice of animals, a part of the festival, the JIH said "precautionary" measures should be taken due to the pandemic.

"Don't offer qurbani on roads, footpaths and pathways. Ensure the highest level of cleanliness and hygiene. Ensure that you bury the blood and entrails of the animal after qurbani or deliver it at the designated spot of garbage collection," the JIH said in a statement.

The JIH said it would be appropriate to form a committee few days before the Eid ul-Adha, which would keep an eye on the situation, remain in touch with the local administration and offer cooperation towards maintaining the law and order in the area.

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March 31,2020

New Delhi, Mar 31: India is likely to blacklist about 300 foreigners who came from 16 countries, including Malaysia and Thailand, on tourist visas but attended an Islamic congregation at Nizamuddin here that has become a key source for the spread of coronavirus in the country, officials said on Tuesday.

These foreigners were among around 8,000 people who attended the Tabligh-e-Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz facility in March, many of whom have shown symptoms of COVID-19, a Union Home Ministry officlal said.

About 30 of those who attended the Nizamuddin event in mid-March tested positive and at least three have succumbed to the infection in last few days.

"Those who came on tourist visa but attended the Nizamuddin event stands being in our blacklist as they have violated the visa conditions. Tourist visa holders can't attend religious function," a Union Home ministry official said.

If a foreigner is put in the Home ministry's blacklist, he or she can't travel to India in future.

A total of 281 foreigners were found by the police at the Nizamuddin campus in the last two days.

They include 19 people from Nepal, 20 people from Malaysia, one from Afghanistan, 33 from Myanmar, one from Algeria, one from Djibouti, 28 from Kyrgystan, 72 from Indonesia, 7 from Thailand, 34 from Sri Lanka, 19 from Bangladesh, three from England, one from Singapore, four from Fiji, one from France and one from Kuwait.

Most of these foreigners came on a tourist visa, an official said.

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News Network
April 16,2020

Kochi, Apr 16: A middle-aged man carrying his ailing father on his shoulders walked close to one-kilometre in Kerala’s Punalur when the autorickshaw he was driving was allegedly stopped by the police over the ongoing lockdown. He was bringing back his father from the hospital after he was discharged on Wednesday.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, the man can be seen carrying his bare-bodied father on the shoulders and struggling to handle the weight while a woman carrying the hospital documents, prescriptions and other items, is running along with him.

The incident took place in Punalur town of Kollam district.

The 65-year-old man, a native of Kulathupuzha, was released from the Punalur Taluk Hospital and his son was taking him home when he was stopped on the road. The man has alleged that even after he produced hospital documents, the police refused to let him pass with the autorickshaw.

The vehicle was stopped about a kilometre from their house in the middle of a traffic jam and the family had to walk the rest of the path. He said even after he told the police and showed papers from hospital he was not allowed to go.

After the video went viral in Kerala, the state human rights commission took suo motu cognizance of the incident.

The nationwide lockdown has prevented all non-essential movement in the public space while medical emergencies have been allowed. The extended lockdown will now continue till May 3.

According to the police, the vehicle did not have the patient when it was stopped. The driver was asked to show a declaration document.

He stepped out of the vehicle and walked to the hospital which was 200 metres from the checkpoint and returned carrying his father on the back, said the police.

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