PM Modi Honors Sardar Patel's 151st Birth Anniversary at Statue of Unity
PM Modi visits Statue of Unity for Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary, launching projects worth ₹400 crore and celebrating National Unity Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 151st birth anniversary of the "Iron Man of India," Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with a series of high-profile events in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. The day, observed as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas), saw the Prime Minister paying floral tributes at the majestic Statue of Unity at 9:00 a.m., setting a solemn and patriotic tone for the celebrations.
Infrastructure Boost: Projects Worth ₹400 Crore
Beyond the commemorative tributes, the Prime Minister utilized the occasion to drive regional development. Shortly after the floral offerings, PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several key projects valued at over ₹400 crore. These initiatives aim to enhance both the infrastructure and the tourist experience in the region.
The development package includes:
- Environmental and Utility Upgrades: A new sewage and water treatment plant and an integrated zero-waste smart solid waste management project.
- Tourism and Aesthetics: Façade lighting, upgrades to the Narmada Ghat, and the expansion of the Butterfly and Cactus gardens.
- Hospitality and Nature: The launch of an IRCTC hotel, along with the Rain Forest, Ekta, and Eco Trail initiatives.
- Connectivity and Eco-Tourism: The Gora-Bhandara road development and the Khalwani eco-tourism project.
During his visit, the Prime Minister also took the time to tour the Vaman Vriksha Vatika and the newly developed Rain Forest.
National Unity Day: A Focus on a 'Naxal-Free India'
The celebrations culminated in the evening with a powerful theme: 'Vande Mataram'. Scheduled to address the nation at 5:30 p.m., the Prime Minister's program highlighted the critical achievements of India's security forces in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.
The event featured a grand Unity Parade, showcasing the strength and discipline of special anti-Naxal units, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, and NCC cadets. Adding a cultural dimension to the security narrative, 2,000 artists from the National School of Drama—representing 126 districts previously affected by Naxalism—performed a theatrical presentation centered on the vision of a 'Naxal-free India'.
A Week of Massive Investments in Gujarat
The events at the Statue of Unity were part of a larger visit to Gujarat. On October 30, PM Modi inaugurated 'Bharat Parv 2026' in Ekta Nagar, promoting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.
The Prime Minister's itinerary also included a visit to Banaskantha, where he presided over a massive economic push:
- Inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects exceeding ₹14,000 crore.
- Released the 24th installment of the PM-Kisan scheme, distributing approximately ₹19,000 crore to farmers.
- Flagged off two new train services to improve regional connectivity.