Mr Gandhi in his letter (17-23 Nov) has truly stated that almost all the people admire BJP government and PM Narendra Modi erecting the tallest 'statue of unity' of Sardar Patel. Tiny minority in hands of Congress party has distorted the facts to unduly raise Nehru's image against the truly deserving image of Sardar Patel; and whatever the present government has done is done democratically, and in the interest of the public and tourists.
Sardar Patel, following Mahatma Gandhi's request, gladly and readily sacrificed his right to be the first PM of India, and became a Deputy PM and Home Minister to fulfil the huge task of forming the Union of India, which was thought quite impossible by many people including the Briyish themselves. This itself is one of the political wonders of the world.
During the Independence movement, Sardar Patel had single handedly convinced the owners of cotton and steel industries, traders and farmers to create funds for the National Congress which had initially nothing in its fund.
The property owned by present Congress is mainly due to the past efforts of Saradar Patel when the country as a whole was utterly poor; and the cost of the property was contributed by the forefathers of all the members of the existing political parties of India today; and all the political parties of the nation can lay claim to it.
£314 million cost of the project is based on public private partnership. The cost of the statue is minimal comparatively with the major cost of the other modern facilities, such as, exhibition halls, museums, libraries promenade, bridge,shops, modern technologies,maintenance etc for tourists as well to create income.
Sardar Patel's sacrifice and efforts are truly appreciated, and will be recognised in Indian history at long last by the erection of the great patriot's 'statue of unity'.
R N Patel
Via email
