Statue of Unity (World’s Tallest Statue)
The Statue of Unity is a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in Gujarat. It is a 182-meter tall statue and is the world’s tallest, which was inaugurated on an islet Sadhu Bet near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
The giant statue is twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and taller than the Spring Temple Buddha in China (153 meters) becoming the world’s tallest statue, and is now one of the 8 Wonders of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation). It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar, it’s construction started on 31 October 2014 and finished in mid-October 2018.
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The total cost of the project was ₹20.63 billion (US$290 million). It was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel’s birth.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950) was an Indian freedom fighter and was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. He took an active part in the struggle of India.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in a Gujarati family on October 21, 1875. After his schooling, he saved money to go to England for higher studies. He studied law there and returned to India as a barrister. Gandhiji had a great impact on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and he entered the political field in 1918. His excellent work in every field made him famous throughout Gujarat.
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had great sympathy for the peasants of India. He was the hero of the Bardoli Satyagraha. The poor people of Bardoli could not bear the 30 percent increase in taxes. Patel launched his Satyagrah for their cause. It won him the title of ‘Sardar’ from Gandhiji.
Sardar Patel was elected the president of the Congress Party in 1931. He was very deeply involved in the freedom movement. He was jailed for 3 years in 1942 for beings the leader of the ‘Quit India Movement’.
When India became independent in 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. He did very good work of keeping law and order during the partition riots. He used strength and determination to bring together the many Indian princely states to form one united country- India as we know it today. He was often known as the ‘Iron Man of India’.
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