Sardar’s stature just got taller, say family members

Kevadiya (Narmada): The unveiling of world’s tallest statue – the Statue of Unity – by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday acted as a re-union of sorts for the family of Sardar Patel in whose memory the imposing artwork has been constructed.
Starting from 90-year-old Dhirubhai Patel, Sardar’s grand nephew and the eldest amongst all the surviving cousins to 16-year-old Tanisha Patel, the fifth generation from Sardar’s extended family, they were in full strength except the Iron Man’s direct bloodline.

Even as nearly 35 members from Sardar’s extended family including those who are settled in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Canada were present during the inaugural ceremony, Sardar’s grandson Gautam Patel, his wife Nandini and their US-based son Kedar stayed away from all the limelight.

“The last time all of us came together like this was in 2003 when Sardar Patel Trust which manages the memorial at Karamsad received the Bharat Ratna from Bipinbhai Patel. This was in presence of former deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Narendra Modi, then Gujarat chief minister,” recollected Dr Ashutosh Patel, who is related to Sardar Patel from his mother-in-law’s side.

For Sardar’s Vadodara-based grand nephew Dhirubhai, a historic wrong has been corrected by Modi by constructing this colossal statue.

"We always felt that injustice was done to Sardar. He had lost opportunity to become India's first PM because Gandhiji had favoured Nehru. Fortunately, now, Nehru's second side is getting exposed and Sardar is growing taller,” he said.

“We have to give credit for this to Modi,” said Dhirubhai, who took pride that not a single member from Sardar’s family has ever taken advantage or misused his name for their personal gains.

His Mumbai-based daughter Malini Patel, whose two sons are settled in US, echoed the feelings. “My grandfather was brought up by Sardar himself. I am very happy because Sardar deserved this. He was the true architect of India. In fact, to me, he was Father of Nation,” said 61-year-old Malini, who recently returned from the US to attend Wednesday’s function.

“He was a very good soldier who listened to commander blindly. Politics was not business for him,” she said.

“We are very happy at the site of such a big statue. Now, Sardar, whose contributions were not known for years, would be recognised world over,” said Vallabh Vidyanagar based Dhiman Patel, whose maternal grandfather was Sardar's nephew. “Before Modi, nobody took such an initiative.”

Samir Patel, Sardar’s great grandnephew said that the statue will inspire generations to come to work towards unity. “Sardar lived his life like a saint, who knew troubles of a common man. He used to work for their upliftment. It is in the same direction that we all should work together,” he said.