In an article sent to several newspapers on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, describing him as a great unifier and the maker of modern India.

He said every decision of his government was being taken to ensure that the fruits of development reached the most vulnerable, without any corruption or favouritism, just as Sardar Patel would have wanted.

“The ‘Statue of Unity’ [of Patel] 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,” he said.

Situated on the banks of Narmada, the statue is the world’s tallest.

‘Building a new India’

Stating that the project of this scale became a reality in record time, Mr. Modi congratulated all those who made it possible.

Mr. Modi said: “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… today, we, the 130 crore Indians, are working shoulder to shoulder to build a new India that is strong, prosperous and inclusive.”

As Independent India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Patel set the stage for an administrative framework that continues to serve the nation, particularly the poor and marginalised.

Trust and integrity

The Prime Minister said Sardar Patel, a veteran administrator, had also popularised the idea of cooperative housing societies.

“Two traits synonymous with Sardar Patel are trust and integrity. The farmers of India had unparalleled faith in him… traders and industrialists preferred to work with Sardar Patel because they felt here was a stalwart who had a vision for India’s economic and industrial growth,” said Mr. Modi.