Costing a staggering $400m to build, India’s ‘Statue of Unity’ is a 597-foot tribute to the country’s first home minister, Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, who helped unite the country after its independence from Britain.
To put into context, the mega statue is almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty.
The iconic statue of Patel, known as the “Iron Man of India” for his work towards integrating various states in the post-independence era, was inaugurated today in an elaborate ceremony in Gujarat attended by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
The world's tallest statue is here – and it cost $430 million #StatueOfUnity pic.twitter.com/f1bZazq4vR
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 31, 2018
“We are doing everything possible to turn Sardar Patel’s vision into a reality and ensure a good-quality life for our fellow Indians,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
On the banks of the Narmada stands the majestic statue of a great man, who devoted his entire life towards nation building.
It was an absolute honour to dedicate the #StatueOfUnity to the nation.
We are grateful to Sardar Patel for all that he did for India. pic.twitter.com/q2F4uMRjoc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2018
“Patel wanted India to be a forceful, strong, sensitive, vigilant and accommodative nation, and we’re working towards that,” Modi later said at the monument’s unveiling ceremony today.
https://twitter.com/RajeshReddy0808/status/1057583276339027970
More pictures from the inauguration of #StatueOfUnity in Kevadiya, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/jJg0MugpwQ
— BJP (@BJP4India) October 31, 2018
The three aircraft of IAF flying in Vic formation painted the tricolour in the sky as a Salute to the Majestic #StatueofUnity, today.
Details: https://t.co/zqrJsPsguI#NationalUnityDay #RashtriyaEktaDiwas pic.twitter.com/GLIRGoRSAQ
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) October 31, 2018
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