October 31 was the birth anniversary of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and he was given a befitting gift in Gujarat. At the banks of Narmada, built on the river island a colossal statue of 182 meters high, making it the tallest statue in the world. In terms of comparisons it is twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and it is 54 meters taller than China's Spring Buddha Temple.

Terming it to be the Pride of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the gigantic statue on the birth anniversary and dedicated it to the progress of the nation. Sardar Patel was the Home Minister of the independent India, who was credited for the unification of over 540 princely states to form Indian Union. Hence, the name 'Statue of Unity'.

Built at an astronomical cost of Rs. 2,900 crore, the statue was built in the span of 3 years and 9 months, engaged 250 engineers and 3,400 labourers.  The chief sculptor Ram Sutar is the celebrated designer and has sculpted numerous statues of Indian leaders.  The project faced discord with the tribal population of the region. The tribes of 72 villages have protested against the government. The government has claimed that they have re-settled them with appropriate financial and land compensations.

Known as the true 'son of the soil' and also for his stoic devotion to his motherland, his iron will and his devotion to his guru Mahatma Gandhi. It is said there used to be frequent disagreements between Nehru and Sardar pertaining to many political issues, for which Gandhi played the arbiter. Perhaps for this reason, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor raised a query why the BJP government built such enormous statue of the discipline sidelining the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi.  

The government has been criticised sharply for spending so lavishing when the country and the common man is reeling under rupees 's value depreciating and raising fuel price. Apart from the staggering cost, the politically also BJP government faced the ire of the Congress party for hijacking their leaders to glorify their party. Tharoor said this display of wealth would have hurt Sardar, as he walked with simple peasants solving their problems. The BJP government should have reached out to farmers of the region, thus following the true lessons of the Sardar.

But many citizens have expressed their support to the Modi government's efforts to bring back the glory of the founding fathers of our nation. The statue has put India on the world tourist map for one more reason. The visitors can also visit the museum based on Sarder Vallabhbhai's life and dedication to his country. This is a great way to repay and show regard to the respected leader.