A senior government official said that PM Modi will dedicate the Rs 2,989-crore statue to the nation at 9:30 am on Wednesday.
The Statue of Unity, touted as a fitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his efforts to unite the country, will be dedicated to the nation by prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
The 182-metre towering statue dwarfs other famous monuments such as the 153-metre high Spring Temple of Buddha in China, and the 93-metre high Statue of Liberty. The statue, built at Sadhu Bet, in the upstream of Narmada dam, was conceptualised when Modi was the state's CM, while its culmination comes when he is the PM.
A senior government official said that PM Modi will dedicate the Rs 2,989-crore statue to the nation at 9:30 am on Wednesday. Later, he will also light a lamp at the statue's feet and perform Jalabhishek amid chanting of Vedic mantras. Air Force fighter jets are slated to perform a Fly Past programme and also shower petals on the statue during the dedication ceremony.
"The statue will become the symbol of a united India in the world," the state government said in a communique.
Ceremonial bands of Gujarat police, paramilitary forces, and three wings of the armed forces will give musical performances, while artists from 29 states and two UTs will give a cultural performance to mark the occasion.
70,000 tonne cement, 18,500 tonne reinforced steel, 6,000 tonne structural steel, and 1,700 tonne bronze cladding, have been used in construction of the massive statue. One of the key attractions of the statue is the viewing gallery, built within the statue at a height of 153 metre, will given an expansive view of the entire area.
While the government is going all out to make the event a huge success, some tribal groups have announced a boycott of the programme claiming 'mass destruction' of natural resources because of the project. Earlier this month, tribal activists had announced that residents of 72 villages near the dam will protest on October 31 by not cooking food.
In Numbers
- 70,000 tonne cement
- 18,500 tonne reinforced steel
- 6,000 tonne structural steel
- 1,700 tonne bronze cladding
Ceremonial Performance
Ceremonial bands of Gujarat police, paramilitary forces, and three wings of the armed forces will give musical performances, while artists from 29 states and two UTs will give a cultural performance to mark the occasion
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 "Statue of Unity")
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