Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled ‘Statue of Unity’, the world’s tallest statue, built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Notably, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on this day in 1875.

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11:30 am: “The contribution of the tribals, farmers and villagers, who helped make the Statue of Unity cannot be ignored. By lending your efforts in building this, you have also scripted your names in the history. The state will bring prosperity to the tribals, farmers and villagers in this region. It will lead to job creation, better the livelihoods and promote tourism in the area,” PM Modi said.

11:27: “Statue of Unity is a symbol of India’s integrity, India’s resolve, India’s determination and India’s unity… It shows that India was, is and always will be eternal. It is a symbol that ‘Ek Bharat is Shreshth Bharat’,” PM Modi said, asking the crowd to repeat the chant.

11:25 am: “The statue is an answer to all those who question the existence and integrity of India. The height of the statue is to remind the youth that the future of the country will be as huge as this. It is also symbolic of our engineering and technology affordability. Every day, the artisans have worked on the project round-the-clock. Just like the millions of others, even I aspired that the man who did so much for India should get the respect that he deserves.”

11:22 am: PM Modi also took a jibe at the opposition parties and critics who have questioned the government’s decision to construct the statue. He said, “I am amazed when some people of our own country dare to see this initiative from a political view and criticise us like we have committed a huge crime. Is remembering the country’s great personalities a crime?”

11:15 am: Crediting Sardar Patel for keeping the country united, PM Modi said, “It is because of him that we are able to go from Kutch to Kohima, from Kargil to Kanyakumari easily. Without his efforts, we would have to take visa to go to Gir forests, Somnath Temple and to see Charminar in Hyderabad. If the Sardar had no resolution, a direct train from Kashmir to Kanyakumari could not be envisaged. Without Patel, it would have been difficult for us to build the administrative framework like the Civil service. He is also responsible for bringing women in politics.”

11:12 am: “There were many who thought that a diverse country like India can never remain united. They considered our diversity our biggest weakness. But Sardar Patel converted this into our biggest strength. India is following the path shown by Patel and is moving towards becoming the world’s greatest economic and strategic power,” PM Modi said.

11.08 am: Recounting Patel’s address, PM Modi said, “Sardar Patel in his speech on July 5, 1947, said – ‘Our mutual quarrels, mutual animosity in front of our enemies is the big reason behind our defeat.’ Now we don’t have to repeat this mistake and neither have to be a slave to anyone again. We should never forget his sacrifices. This is the tallest statue in the world. People across the world will visit this site and remember it. They will also remember the great people of India.”

11.03 am: “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was responsible for us living in a united India today. Due to his efforts after Independence, India is what it is today. It is this feeling of being united, of togetherness, that has kept India going for thousands of years. We celebrate him and his tremendous contribution for the country. I was given the first piece of iron that was contributed for this marvel. I am giving it for you all to see at the museum here at the Statue of Unity,” says PM Modi.

10.59 am: “Sardar Patel was the only hope in the time of despair. I salute the man who  made India what it is today,” the Prime Minister said. He also said, “It is my honour that I got a chance to pay the tribute to the great man. When I visualised the project, I had never thought that I would unveil it as the prime minister of the country. The event portrays the face of united India. I also thank the people of Gujarat for welcoming him.”

10.55 am: “This is a project that we had thought about during the time when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. To build the Statue Of Unity, lakhs of farmers from all over India came together, gave their tools, portions of soil and thus, a mass movement started,” PM Modi.

10:50 am: This is a project that we had thought about during the time when I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. To build the #StatueOfUnity, lakhs of farmers from all over India came together, gave their tools, portions of soil and thus, a mass movement started: PM Modi.

10:45 am: “Events like today are very very important in a country’s history and such events are difficult to erase. It is a historic and inspiring occasion for all Indians. I am fortunate to dedicate this statue of Sardar Sahab to the nation,” PM Modi said. Lauding Sardar Patel’s contribution to the growth of the country, PM Modi said, “Patel’s efforts have led India to what it is.”

10:42 am: PM Modi says, “Statue of Unity is a symbol of India’s integrity. This is a historic event for all Indians.” He adds that Indians from across the country were celebrating Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary.

10:40 am: PM Modi addresses the crowd after inaugurating the Statue of Unity, the world’s largest statue.

10.37 am: Fly-past by Indian Air Force takes place after the inauguration of the world’s tallest statue.

10:33 am: PM Modi ‘virtually’ inaugurates the massive statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by using a lever. BJP chief Amit Shah, Governors of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, Vajubhai Vala and Anandiben Patel as well as the sculptor of the statue, Ram V Sutar and his Anil are present at the event.

10.32 am: Jalabhishek with waters from 30 major rivers marked the unveiling of Statue of Unity.

Proud moment for the country; PM @narendramodi dedicates the tallest statue of the world – the #StatueOfUnity – to the nation.#RashtriyaEktaDiwas #NationalUnityDay #SardarVallabhbhaiPatel pic.twitter.com/S7uH6gfW7I

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 31, 2018

Today the entire country is celebrating #RashtriyaEktaDiwas honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel : PM Modi #StatueOfUnity pic.twitter.com/x361anEx7X

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 31, 2018

10:21 am:  Congress leader Anand Sharma slams the BJP for giving ‘selective importance’ to national leader & not paying appropriate respect to former Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi. He said, “BJP govt is wrong in not respecting Indira Gandhi’s memorial.”

10:17 am: BJP President Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel, and Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel at the inauguration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Statue of Unity. Prime Minister Modi is expected to unveil the grand statue, pegged to be the world’s tallest statue, shortly.

9:25 am: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah arrived at Sadhu Bet, ahead of the inauguration ceremony of the 182 meter-tall statue of Sardar Patel. Meanwhile, PM Modi reached the Tent City where he took stock of the arrangements.

9:00 am: Ahead of Prime Minister Modi taking the stage to inaugurate the world’s tallest statue, cultural performances were underway at Sadhu Bet. Artists from 29 states are set to perform at the event.

8:37 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Valley of Flowers in Gujarat. The PM will later visit the Tent City, Wall of Unity and the Museum, besides inaugurating the grand statue. The Museum is expected to have 40,000 documents, 2,000 photographs and research centre.

8:15 am: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and several other dignitaries paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary.

8:00 am: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis too flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ march in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also flagged off the march in Chennai.

7:40 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ event in New Delhi, where thousands have participated. Several sports stars were also present at the event including gymnast Dipa Karmakar and boxer Mary Kom.

Also Read: Nation pays solemn tributes to ‘Loh Purush’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 143rd birth anniversary