A high-level delegation from Gujarat led by Deputy Speaker in the State Assembly Mangubhai Patel visited Jharkhand to garner support for building Sardar Petel’s statue. The 182-metre high statue is being built at Sadhu Bet Island of the river Narmada near the Sardar Sarovar dam.
Addressing news persons on Tuesday, Mangubhai Patel said that the programme should not be seen through the prism of politics. “The initiative is an emotional response to the great works done by Sardar Patel for the unity of India. By building the tallest statue, the country can now show its strength to the world. The statue is being built by people’s participation and it should not be made a subject of political untouchability,” he said.
The delegation also includes Jaidrath Singh Permar, Minister in Gujarat Government besides several MlAs and leaders. Foundation stone for the statue was laid by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on October 31. A nationwide drive to collect iron-made farm equipments would start from December 15, also death anniversary of the first Home Minister of independent India, that would include over seven lakh villages of the country.
“A marathon run in all parts of country would also be organised that day to kick start the iron collection drive. A ‘Run for Unity’ would also take place in Ranchi starting from Sainik Market to Albert Ekka Chowk,” added Mangubhai Patel. The run is being organised on 565 places besides essay competitions and several other programmes all over the country.
The delegation stressed that professionals and common persons from all walks of life should come forward and participate in the drive. It also paid a visit to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the evening. The statue is being built to commemorate the role played by Sardar Patel in unifying the country after it attained independence in 1947. The then Home Minister Patel was instrumental in accession of 562 princely states to India. A short film based on the massages of Sardar Patel was also shown on the occasion.
Sadhu Bet island would also be developed as tourist destination by setting up a museum, light and sound system besides an Agriculture Research Center and Kamdhenu University.