Context:
The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA) recently issued a tender to resume the suspended helicopter joyride services at the Statue of Unity.
Relevance:
GS I: Culture
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Statue of Unity
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Statue of Unity: A Tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- The statue was built to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the ‘Iron Man of India.’
- Location: Situated in Gujarat, on the banks of the Narmada River, on the River Island of Sadhu Bet, overlooking the Narmada Dam.
- Impressive Height: Standing at a height of 182 meters, the statue is recognized as the tallest in the world, surpassing the height of China’s Spring Temple Buddha by 177 feet.
- Construction and Design: Indian construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) undertook the construction of the statue, while the design was created by renowned sculptor Ram V Sutar, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:
Early Life and Activism:
- Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, known as Sardar Patel, was born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat.
- He was an Indian barrister and statesman, and one of the prominent leaders of the Indian National Congress during the struggle for Indian independence.
- In 1918, Patel gained recognition for organizing mass campaigns against the Bombay government’s decision to collect full annual revenue taxes despite crop failures caused by heavy rains in Kaira, Gujarat.
- He embraced Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas and actively participated in the non-cooperation movement in 1920, adopting indigenous Khadi items and boycotting foreign clothes.
- Patel led the Satyagraha movement in Nagpur in 1923, protesting against the British law that banned the hoisting of the Indian Flag.
- In 1928, he successfully led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance against increased taxes, earning him the title of “sardar” or leader.
Role in Independent India:
- Patel was appointed as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950.
- He played a crucial role in the integration of numerous Indian princely states, aiming to forge a united India from over 560 semi-autonomous princely states and British-era colonial provinces.
- Through frank diplomacy and, if necessary, military action, Patel’s leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state, making him the real unifier of India.
- He is remembered as the “Patron saint of India’s civil servants” for establishing the modern all-India services system and is widely hailed as the Iron Man of India.
- Patel held important positions in the Constituent Assembly of India, including the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas.
Legacy and Recognition:
- Since 2014, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day is observed on 31st October each year to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and the integration of the country.
- He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1991, in recognition of his significant contributions.
-Source: Indian express
