Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on Thursday, where he paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. During his visit, he also reviewed important tourism and development facilities at the site in Kevadia.
Majhi expressed that the visit was filled with pride and gratitude as he explored the integrated tourism complex surrounding the statue. He offered his respects at the monument’s base and toured several attractions that are part of the expanded tourism infrastructure.
At Arogya Van, he sampled khati bhindi’s sharbat (sherbet) made by tribal women involved with the facility and engaged in discussions about their work and livelihoods. He also visited the Miyawaki forest and the Vaman Tree Garden, both aimed at fostering ecological awareness and promoting green development within the tourism area.
Additionally, he attended the laser show at the complex and participated in the Narmada Aarti, which he described as a spiritually enriching experience. Majhi remarked on the site’s development, stating that the Statue of Unity symbolizes both national integration and India’s advancement.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Statue of Unity has emerged as a symbol of national pride. The monument dedicated to Sardar Patel reflects India’s unity as well as its developmental vision,” he noted.
Standing at 182 meters tall, the Statue of Unity is recognized as the tallest statue in the world, located in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
Since its inauguration in 2018, it has become a significant tourist destination, attracting visitors to various cultural, ecological, and recreational sites surrounding the monument. Majhi’s three-day visit to Gujarat aimed to enhance economic and institutional collaboration between Odisha and the state, including meetings with industrial stakeholders and visits to key infrastructure hubs like Ahmedabad, Mundra, and Vadodara, in addition to Kevadia. Officials indicated that the visit was designed to explore cooperation in sectors such as textiles, chemicals, petrochemicals, metals, pharmaceuticals, and logistics, as well as to discuss potential investment opportunities and industrial partnerships.
