It’s Sardar Patel Jayanti who is also known as the Iron Man of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31st, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. He was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. He died on December 15, 1950.
Things to know about Sardar Vallabhbai Patel on this his Sardar Patel Jayanti
- He became the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and was known as the Iron Man of India
- He was conferred with the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratan, in 1991 for his services to the nation
- He went on to pursue a degree in Law and travelled to England in 1910. He completed his law degree in 1913 from the Inns of Court and returned to India to start his Law practice in Godhra, Gujarat. He got many offers from the British government but he refused them all.
- He was deeply influenced by Gandhi’s ideologies.
- Initially, he wasn’t interested in Politics but after meeting Mahatma Gandhi he decided to join politics.
- He worked extensively against untouchability, alcohol consumption, and caste discrimination in and outside Gujarat.
- When Patel joined Gandhi’s Non – Cooperation movement he travelled around West India to recruit 3,000 members. He went on to collect more than Rs. 1.5 million for the party fund.
10 Reasons to visit the Statue of Unity
The statue of unity was opened to the public on November 1st, 2018. The statue was unveiled by PM Narendra Modi on October 31st, 2018. Interestingly, it is the world’s tallest statue at a dizzying height of 182 meters. It is built at a whopping cost of 3,000 crores.
This Sardar Patel Jayanti, we are shelling out 10 facts you need to know about the world’s tallest statue – the Statue of Unity.
Here, we go!
1. It is dedicated to the Iron Man of India
The Statue of Unity is dedicated to the Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is dedicated to the nation and it is a reminder of the nation of Sardar Patel’s courage. He was the nation’s first Home Minister.
2. It has broken all the record
The Statue of Unity is the tallest in the world. It is almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty in New York. It is also 50 meters taller than China’s Spring Temple Buddha, which is commendable.
3. The Budget for the entire Project was 3,000 crores: What? What? What?
No doubt, the statue had broken all the records but a lot could have been done with the amount. According to reports, the price is equivalent to the cost of setting up two IIT- Campuses.
4. Entry and Travel
It remains open for the Public from 9 am to 6 pm. Entry is free for children under the age of 3. Apart from it, Rs.350 per head for everyone else. There is also a cheaper option available that will cost you 120 for adults and 60 for children.
5. It is built near one of India’s largest Dams
It is located about 200 kilometres from Ahmedabad. It is built on an artificial island, Sadhu Bet, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
6. What will you be able to see there?
There is a three-star hotel, a shopping centre, and a research centre at the complex. The ticket includes a basic entry ticket to the valley of flowers, the audio-visual gallery, the Statue of Unity site and the dam.
7. There is a selfie point too
For selfie junkies, there is a point where you can take selfies. You will get an exotic look there with the view of the statue.
8. 7.94 million Visit the Statue of Unity till Now
Yes! Around 7.94 million Visitors have visited the Statue of Unity till now.
9. Book your tickets online
You can book your tickets in your comfort zone. Yes, to avoid the mess you can book your ticket for the statue of unity online.
10. Light Show & Boating will make you go gaga over it
You can also enjoy boating and can enjoy never -a before -seen light shows near the Statue of Unity. It would be a complete holiday package. So, pack your bags right now.
Patel is also remembered as the “patron saint of India’s civil servants” for having established the All-India Services system, the bureaucracy that is the “steel frame” of India. All the above facts justify his title of Iron Man of India.
Today Patel is not with us, but his teachings and learnings will always be with us. This Sardar Patel Jayanti, let’s give our fair share of tribute to one of the strongest men of India.
