Sardar Patel statue to be unveiled on October 31
Bengaluru, October 16: Gujarat government Energy Minister Saurabh Patel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would unveil the Unity Statue of former deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the highest statue in the world, constructed near Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat, on October 31.
Speaking to reporters at a private hotel here on Tuesday, Patel said that October 31 is the birthday of Sardar Patel. So, on the same day, the government has planned to unveil the 182 metre height Unity Statue, he said.
The people of the country have donated 5,000 metric ton iron and steel and it was constructed in 48 months investing Rs 2,332 crore. Under this statue, 73 ft height museum was constructed in which, valuables related to Sardar Patel, his life and works and photos were kept, he said.
Due to shortage of bronze in the country, the contractor had decided to import it from China and the Gujarat government had no role in it, he clarified.
Governor Vajubhai Vala and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were invited for the unveiling programme. He would also invite the people of Karnataka to participate in the programme. People could visit Gujarat after November 1, he said.
When asked about the conflict on Bihar-based labourers in Gujarat, Saurabh Patel said that it was a political conspiracy. Some people have hatched out a conspiracy. People from different states of the country were living in Gujarat and have been contributing for the development of this state. Those who have left Gujarat in the conflict would return shortly, he exuded confidence.
The situation was under control in Gujarat and proper security was provided to Biharis. There was no problem for their daily activities. Legal action would be taken against those who are responsible for this conflict, he said.
Gujarat Minister Jayadrat Singh Parmar, MLAs Shailesh, Bharat Bhai Patel, Bhikhabhai Bharat, Madhu Srivatsav, Health Department Secretary Jayanti Ravi, Forest Corporation Joint Managing Director B.K. Sugur were present at the press conference.
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Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
