In a bid to pay tribute to India's "Iron Man" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sardar Sarovar Yojana, which is meant to benefit the parched regions of Gujarat, is one of the time themes of the State tableau to be showcased at the 66th Republic Day Parade on Rajpath on January 26. The entire tableau is designed to reflect ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’.
This comes as a gesture to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his role in the unification of India through integration of over 500 princely States soon after Independence, Statue of Unity is being erected on river Narmada in Gujarat. Having a height of 182 metres, the proposed statue will be the world's tallest statue. The replica of the same is shown in the front side of the tableau along with displays of an exhibition hall, conference centre and an aquarium.
The centre of the tableau depicts the turnaround in water irrigation witnessed in arid regions of Gujarat because of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and people from four beneficiary States —Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh — celebrating in lush green farms.