Narendra Modi takes tour of Sardar Patel Zoological Park in Kevadia after inaugurating it
Ahmedabad, Oct 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sardar Patel Zoological Park, popularly known as Jungle Safari, in Kevadia, Narmada district today. The park has been set up near the 182-metre Statue of Unity.
The zoo houses wild animals and birds brought from all over the world.
Earlier in the day, Modi 'Ekta Mall', a special store constructed near the Statue of Unity here where tourists can buy handloom and handicraft products belonging to different states under one roof. After inaugurating the outlet, Modi spent a considerable amount of time at stalls selling traditional items from Jammu and Kashmir and the north-east region.
The mall, developed on the theme of Unity in Handicraft & Handloom Diversity, is spread across 35,000 square feet near the 182-metre tall Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Gujarats Narmada district. The imposing monument, dedicated to Sardar Patel, has emerged as a popular tourist site in Gujarat.
Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, later visited different emporia in the Mall. At the Jammu and Kashmir stall, Modi enquired about different products and showed keen interest in knowing the process which goes behind making them.
The Mall, a two-storey air-conditioned store, houses 20 different emporia representing the handloom and handicraft traditions of various states, said a government release. The Mall houses emporia of Garvi Gurjari, Purbashree, Kairali, Mrugnayani, Pumpuhar, Gangotri and Kaveri, among others. It also houses stores Khadi India and Coir Board, among other establishments, the release added.
Modi also inaugurated 'Arogya Van', a garden housing medicinal plants and herbs, near the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya village of Gujarats Narmada district.
Arogya Van (health forest) is spread over an area of about 17 acres, displaying a wide range of medicinal plants which play an important role in the well-being of human beings, said a release by the authorities. It is one of the 17 projects to be inaugurated by the PM on Friday and Saturday near the Statue of Unity, a towering monument dedicated to Sardar Patel which has emerged as a popular tourist attraction in Gujarat.
#WATCH| Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a tour of 'Arogya Van' in Kevadia after inaugurating it. pic.twitter.com/9QXx0IL3Jh
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2020
During the visit, he is scheduled to launch a host of projects, including a seaplane service between Kevadiya and Ahmedabad, and visit the Statue of Unity.
This will be Modi's first visit to his home state since the coronavirus outbreak in Gujarat in March-end.
According to the official, Modi took a helicopter ride from the Ahmedabad airport to reach Kevadiya.
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During his trip, Modi would also pay tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the 'Statue of Unity' near Kevadiya on the occasion of birth anniversary of the first Home Minister of independent India on October 31, said the official.
Later, the PM would inaugurate a boat service which would operate in the Narmada river between the statue and Shreshth Bharat Bhavan, around 4km away, according to the schedule.
The PM is expected to take a boat ride after inauguration of the service, the official said.
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Around 30 lakh LED lights have been used to illuminate the garden during the night for tourists.
In the night, Modi would inaugurate the illuminated Cactus Garden and Ekta Nursery.
The official said Modi will stay overnight at Kevadiya.
On the morning of October 31, Modi would first visit the Statue of Unity to pay floral tributes to Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary, he said.
On the occasion, a parade, named Ekta Diwas Parade, by Central Armed Police Forces and the Gujarat police will also be organised in Modi''s presence, the official said.
After speaking at the parade ground near the statue, Modi would interact with civil service probationers, also called Officer Trainees (OTs), through video conferencing, he said.
These trainee IAS officers would join the PM from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand).
"The Academy is gearing up for Aarmabh 2020 in which a galaxy of thought leaders are sharing their views on India @ 100, culminating in the PM''s interaction with OTs from the Statue of Unity on 31st October, the birthday of Sardar Patel, the Patron Saint of Indian civil services," Academy Director Sanjeev Chopra had tweeted earlier.
Later in the afternoon, the PM would launch the famed seaplane service connecting Kevadiya and Ahmedabad.
A water aerodrome having a floating platform has been built in a lake near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, said the official.
The PM would board a seaplane from the lake and reach the Sabarmati Riverfront. He will then wind up his visit and leave for New Delhi, said the official.