New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the ‘Statue of Unity’ is a symbol of both the unity of “hearts and the geographical integrity” India and would underline the importance of the unity in diversity.
“The Statue of Unity is a symbol of both the unity of hearts and the geographical integrity of our motherland. It is a reminder that divided, we may not be even able to face ourselves. United, we can face the world and scale new heights of growth and glory of our motherland,” Modi wrote is an article, paying tributes to country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“It is a reminder that divided, we may not be even able to face ourselves. United, we can face the world and scale new heights of growth and glory,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister further wrote: “Sardar Patel worked with astonishing speed to dismantle the history of imperialism and create the geography of unity with the spirit of nationalism. He saved India from Balkanisation and integrated even the weakest of limbs into the national framework”.
Modi said, “Today, we, the 130 crore Indians are working shoulder to shoulder to build a New India that is strong, prosperous and inclusive. Every decision is being taken to ensure that the fruits of development reach the most vulnerable, without any corruption or favouritism, just as Patel would have wanted it”.
Paying tributes to Sardar Patel’s multiple facets, Modi said: “The roots of Amul can be traced back to his vision for empowering local communities, particularly women. It was Patel who also popularised the idea of cooperative housing societies, thus ensuring dignity and shelter for many”.
“Two traits synonymous with Patel are trust and integrity. The farmers of India had unparalleled faith in him. After all, he was a kisan putra, who led from the front during the Bardoli Satyagraha,” he wrote, adding : “The working class saw him as a ray of hope, a leader who would speak up for them. Traders and industrialists preferred to work with Patel because they felt here was a stalwart who had a vision for India’s economic and industrial growth”.