Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the much talked about the Statue Of Unity — the tallest statue in the world dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. As the PM pushed a lever, an AV of the the genesis of the Patel statue began and ended with a flypast of the IAF’s Surya Kiran aircraft showering flower petals on the statue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his speech after paying rich tribute Sardar Patel

A tribute to the great Sardar Patel! Dedicating the ‘Statue of Unity’ to the nation. Here’s my speech. https://t.co/OEDjhW1MrT — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2018

Sardar Patel’s 143rd birthday anniversary today is being observed as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’.

BJP President Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel, and Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel are at the inauguration of the Patel statue.

Built at a cost of Rs 2,989 crore it is located on the Sadhu Bet island, near Rajpipla on the Narmada river, 3.2 km downstream of the Narmada dam. Anticipating protests by locals who demand compensation for the land used for the enormous figure, thousands of police personnel ahead of the grand inaugural event.