Sardar Patel Jayanti: PM Modi Set for Statue of Unity Tribute Event
The nation will mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to pay tribute at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
PM Modi is expected to arrive at the memorial site around 9 am. During his visit, he will open and lay the foundation stones for 31 tourism and infrastructure projects, collectively valued at Rs 426.71 crore.
The projects are divided into two categories. Twenty-three projects worth Rs 307.83 crore will be inaugurated, while eight projects worth Rs 118.88 crore will receive foundation stones.
Among the completed projects are an IRCTC hotel constructed at Rs 50 crore, the Ekta Cruise worth Rs 16 crore, the Rain Forest Attraction costing Rs 14.30 crore and the Eco Trail valued at Rs 3.67 crore. Additional works include a sewage and water treatment plant, a travelator, a parade track, staff quarters, road repairs, facade lighting at the Statue of Unity and the development of the Ekta Prakash Parv.
The Prime Minister had already visited the 'Ekta Prakash Parv-2026' on Friday, one day before the main ceremony. The illumination festival in Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, featured lit-up displays reflecting the cultural heritage of four regions of India. He also inspected the indoor section, which is organised into zones representing the north, east, west and south.
On Saturday, Modi will tour the Rain Forest and the Vaman Vriksha Vatika. At around 5:30 pm, he will take part in the National Unity Day celebrations.
A unity parade will be held with contingents from central armed police forces, state police forces and central police organisations. The National School of Drama will stage a production on 'Naxal Mukt Bharat', featuring nearly 2,000 performers from 126 districts impacted by left-wing extremism.
The tableaux and cultural performances will revolve around the 'Vande Mataram' theme, with about 5,000 artists from across the country taking part in a major cultural performance.