A replica of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s “Statue of Unity,” that is to be built in Gujarat at an estimated cost of $2 billion and billed as the largest in the world, was installed in the reception area of the Indian Consulate in New York on Oct. 31.
The event was jointly organized by the Federation of Indian Associations, New York (FIANY), T.V. Asia, and the consulate. The date was chosen to celebrate the 139th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, the first home minister of India and considered by some as the architect of a united India.
The 12-foot prototype built by artisans in Ahmedabad, was first displayed during the Aug. 17 India Day Parade in New York this year.
Among those who spoke at the event were Consul General of India in New York Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Governor of Nagaland Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, who is on a visit to the U.S., Ramesh Patel, chair of FIANY, Ankur Vaidya president of FIANY, Albert Jasani, trustee of FIANY, and H.R. Shah of T.V. Asia, also a trustee of FIANY.
Most speakers paid tribute to the role Sardar Patel played to achieve the unification of India following the Partition of the subcontinent.
Vaidya spoke about the replica statue being a symbol of unity for the community in New York.
“There’s no bigger leader than Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi. On this 139th birth anniversary we are acknowledging him as the architect of a united India,” Ramesh Patel told Desi Talk.
Other trustees of FIANY involved with the initiative include, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of Desi Talk and recipient of India’s Padma Shri award, Deepak Patel, Prabir Roy, Yashpal Soi, Ram Gadhavi, Pravin Pandhi, Bipin Patel, Jagdish Patel, and Kanu Chauhan.
Following a garlanding ceremony, singer Anup Jalota sang bhajans. “It is a milestone for the Indian community to have this statue here in New York connected to the world’s largest statue in India,” Jalota said.
The FIA thanked Mulay for his efforts to have the statue installed at the Consulate.