Ahmedabad: The world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia in Gujarat’s Narmada district, is set to host a historic celebration on October 31, marking the 150th birth anniversary of India’s ‘Iron Man’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ekta Nagar on the occasion, which will also see the distinguished presence of Sardar Patel’s descendants, adding a personal and historic dimension to this national celebration of unity.

Sardar Patel’s Family to Attend the Ceremony

Among the family members attending will be Sardar Patel’s grandson Gautam Dahyabhai Patel (80) and his wife Dr. Nandita Gautam Patel (79), their son Kedar Gautam Patel (47) and his wife Reena Patel (47). Their daughter Karina Kedar Patel (13), who is Sardar Patel’s great-great-granddaughter, will also be present.

Additionally, Sameer Indrakant Patel (68) and Rita S. Patel (66), extended family members, will join the event to pay their respects.

Symbol of National Unity and Family Legacy

The gathering of Sardar Patel’s family across generations at his towering 182-metre statue symbolises not only familial pride but also the enduring legacy of national unity and integrity that the ‘Iron Man of India’ envisioned.

The presence of his descendants alongside the Prime Minister is expected to make the celebration deeply symbolic — a blend of history, emotion, and patriotism.

Ekta Nagar: A Symbol of Progress and Unity

Once a quiet riverside town, Ekta Nagar has now transformed into a vibrant symbol of India’s unity and progress.

With the participation of Sardar Patel’s family, this year’s celebration promises to be a poignant reminder of the man whose vision and leadership laid the foundation of a united India.

Remembering the ‘Iron Man’ of India

Born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Kheda district (Gujarat), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel trained as a barrister in England before returning to practice law in Ahmedabad, where he became known for his sharp intellect and deep empathy for the common people.

Patel’s leadership first came to prominence during the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918, where he led farmers in protest against unjust tax collection during famine conditions.

His success in negotiating relief from the British marked him as a fearless and pragmatic leader, a reputation that was further strengthened during the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 — a non-violent farmers’ revolt against increased land revenue, which earned him the title “Sardar” (leader) from Mahatma Gandhi and the people of India.