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New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat on Thursday to participate in the National Unity Day celebrations to mark the 150th birth anniversary of India’s ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The visit will be a mix of tribute, development and national pride as the Prime Minister will inaugurate several projects and lead a unity ceremony at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Kevadiya.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi will reach Ekta Nagar on Thursday for the first leg of his visit. He will flag off electric buses and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development and infrastructure projects worth about Rs 1,140 crore.
The projects are designed to strengthen tourism, promote sustainable infrastructure and increase eco-friendly mobility in and around the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue.
Major initiatives to be inaugurated include Birsa Munda Tribal University at Rajpipla, Hospitality District at Garudeshwar (Phase-1), Vaman Vriksha Vatika, Satpura Conservation Wall, an e-bus charging depot with 25 electric buses, Narmada Ghat Extension, Kaushalya Path and Smart Bus Stop (Phase-2).
Other attractions include a Dam Replica Fountain, GSEC Quarter and a scenic walkway from Ekta Dwar to Shrestha Bharat Bhawan (Phase-2).
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for several ambitious projects, such as the Museum of the Imperial Kingdoms of India, Veer Balak Udyan, a sports complex, a rainforest project, jetty development near Shoolpaneshwar Ghat, and travelators at the Statue of Unity complex – all aimed at enriching the visitor experience and promoting overall development in the region.
During the event, PM Modi will release a special commemorative coin and a postage stamp worth Rs 150 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The gesture will serve as a symbolic tribute to Patel’s unique contribution in unifying over 560 princely states and shaping the foundation of modern India.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will lead the National Unity Day celebrations. He will begin the day by paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity and administering the Unity Day Pledge reaffirming India’s collective commitment to national unity, integrity and internal security.
The highlight of the day will be the Unity Day Parade, which will include contingents from various state police forces as well as BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
This year’s parade will showcase many unique elements, including the BSF contingent of indigenous Indian dog breeds like Rampur Hounds and Mudhol Hounds, the Gujarat Police horse contingent, the Assam Police motorcycle daredevil show and the BSF camel contingent with its famous Camel Mounted Band.
In recognition of bravery and sacrifice, the event will honor five Shaurya Chakra awardees of CRPF and 16 gallantry medal recipients of BSF for their courageous actions during anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand and anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. BSF personnel who displayed exemplary gallantry during Operation Sindoor will also be honoured.
–IANS
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