"The world's tallest statue would remind the entire world, the future generations about the courage, capabilities and resolution of the person who did this holy work of thwarting the conspiracy to disintegrate Mother India into pieces," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said addressing a gathering after inaugurating the monument.


"The statue will remind those who question India's existence, that this nation was, is and will remain eternal," Modi said. "This (statue) is a source of unity...with this sentiment we should march...and march with a dream to make the country 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Superior India)," he added.


Modi said his government has taken up the cause of bringing to life the history and contributions of great personalities. "During the last four years, our government has set up many memorials of our national heroes, including this sky-high statue of Sardar Patel, his museum in Delhi, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's Panch Tirth and a memorial dedicated to son of Gujarat's soil, Shyamji Krishna Varma," he said.


He then listed various other upcoming memorials and initiatives, such as Chhatrapati Shivaji's statue in Mumbai and a museum dedicated to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. "But, to my surprise, some people of this country are seeing our movement through the political glasses. We are criticized for praising the contributions of national heroes like Sardar Patel. We are made to feel as if we have committed a serious crime," he said.


He then posed a question to the audience, "You tell me, is it a crime to remember our national heroes?" To this, the audience replied in the negative.


"It was the sentiment of crores of Indians that the man who united the country should get honour he deserved," Modi said. He said it was the responsibility of the people to give a befitting reply to the efforts "aimed at dividing the country".


Modi said if Patel had not united the country, the countrymen would have needed visas to see lions in Junagadh or pay homage at Somnath in Gujarat or view the Charminar in Hyderabad.  -- PTI


Image: Striking a pose: PM Modi at the inauguration of the Statue of Unity today.