PM Modi Pays Tribute to Sardar Patel at Statue of Unity on 151st Birth Anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Narmada district, marking the 151st birth anniversary of India's first Deputy Prime Minister and one of the key architects of the country's post-Independence political integration.

The tribute at the world's tallest statue marked the beginning of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects worth a combined Rs 426.71 crore, aimed at enhancing visitor facilities and strengthening infrastructure around the Statue of Unity.

Of the 31 projects, 23, involving an investment of Rs 307.83 crore, will be inaugurated, while foundation stones will be laid for eight projects worth Rs 118.88 crore.

Among the major attractions being inaugurated are an IRCTC hotel developed at a cost of Rs 50 crore, the Rs 16-crore Ekta Cruise, a Rain Forest project costing Rs 14.30 crore and an Eco Trail worth Rs 3.67 crore.

The wider infrastructure package includes sewage and water treatment plants, travelators for easier movement of visitors, a parade track, staff quarters, road improvements and facade lighting across the Statue of Unity campus. The upgraded Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat and the development of Ekta Prakash Parv are also part of the initiatives.

The projects receiving foundation stones include the Gora-Bhanadra Road, a smart zero-waste integrated solid waste management facility, Khalwani Eco-Tourism and an integrated Cactus and Butterfly Garden. Other works include the development of Khalwani Bridge, widening of Vaghadia Road and construction of a disaster control room for the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

During the day, Modi is also scheduled to visit the Rain Forest and Vaman Vriksha Vatika before attending the main Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at around 5:30 pm.

The evening programme will feature the traditional Ekta Parade, with contingents from the Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces and central police organisations. This year's parade will highlight the contribution of security forces in tackling Left-Wing Extremism and the transformation of areas previously affected by the problem.

A special theatrical presentation titled 'Naxal Mukt Bharat', organised by the National School of Drama, will involve around 2,000 artistes from 126 districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism.

The celebrations will also feature tableaux and cultural performances based on the theme 'Vande Mataram'. A larger cultural presentation involving approximately 5,000 artistes from different parts of the country will showcase India's diverse artistic traditions.

The Prime Minister arrived in Ekta Nagar on Friday after visiting Banaskantha. During his stay, he inaugurated 'Bharat Parv 2026', a cultural festival showcasing the traditions, folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts and tourism attractions of various states and Union Territories. The festival will continue until November 15.

He also visited 'Ekta Prakash Parv-2026', an illumination festival celebrating India's cultural heritage across its northern, eastern, western and southern regions. The attraction features a 530-metre illuminated stretch along Valley of Flowers Road and a 180-metre Glow Tunnel, with more than 1.5 crore LED lights used across the displays.

The two-day programme coincides with the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, whose pivotal role in integrating hundreds of princely states into the Indian Union following Independence earned him the title of the 'Iron Man of India'. The annual Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations commemorate his contribution to national unity and territorial integration.

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