Kevadiya: Unveiling the 182-metre giant 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat's Kevadiya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel not united the country, we would need visa to see lions at Gir and Hyderabad's Charminar.
PM Modi said that the statue, believed to be the tallest in the world, would be a reminder about the courage of a man who thwarted efforts to disintegrate India.
He added that it will remind those who question India's existence that this nation was, is and will remain eternal.
Remembering Sardar Patel's contribution in uniting the country by annexing over 550 princely states, Modi said the great leader had "successfully foiled a conspiracy to divide India in to pieces" Sardar Patel had used force to annex princely states of Junagadh ruled by Nawab and Hyderabad ruled by nizam, both of whom had wished not to merge their states with the India union.
"The world's tallest statue would remind the entire world, the future generations about the courage, capabilities and resolution of the person who did this holy work of thwarting the conspiracy to disintegrate Mother India into pieces," the prime minister said addressing a gathering after inaugurating the monument.
"The statue will remind those who question India's existence, that this nation was, is and will remain eternal," Modi said.
"This (statue) is a source of unity...with this sentiment we should march...and march with a dream to make the country 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Superior India)," he added.
Modi said his government has taken up the cause of bringing to life the history and contributions of great personalities.
"During the last four years, our government has set up many memorials of our national heroes, including this sky-high statue of Sardar Patel, his museum in Delhi, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Panch Tirth and a memorial dedicated to son of Gujarat's soil, Shyamji Krishna Varma," he said.