Statue of Unity: Difference between revisions

| height      = {{convert|182|meter|ft}}

The '''''Statue of Unity''''' is the world's [[List of tallest statues|tallest statue]], with a height of {{convert|182|m|abbr=off}},<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 November 2018|title=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Statue: Statue of Unity location, height, cost, other facts|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-statue-statue-of-unity-location-height-cost-facts-5425563/|access-date=21 July 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> located near [[Kevadia]] in the state of [[Gujarat]], India. It depicts Indian statesman and [[Indian independence movement|independence]] activist [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] (1875–1950), who was the first [[Deputy Prime Minister of India|deputy prime minister]] and [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|home minister]] of independent India and an adherent of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Patel is highly respected for his leadership in uniting 562 [[princely states]] of India to [[Political integration of India|form the single Union of India]]. The statue is located in Gujarat on the [[Narmada River]] in the [[Kevadiya]] colony, facing the [[Sardar Sarovar Dam]] {{convert|100|km|mile}} southeast of the city of [[Vadodara]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Gujarat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/statue-of-unity-expected-to-attract-10000-tourists-daily/articleshow/66448638.cms |access-date=10 November 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=31 October 2018}}</ref>

After studying statues of Patel across the country, a team of historians, artists, and academics chose a design submitted by the Indian sculptor [[Ram V. Sutar]].{{efn|1=According to a senior Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNL) official, the Gujarat government initially hired an American consultant who commissioned sculptor [[Joseph Menna]] to create the ''Statue of Unity''{{'}}s first digital proof-of-the-concept model. However, once they realised that Menna's model was an adaptation of Ram Sutar's statue of Patel at Ahmedabad airport, the government directed L&T to avail the services of Sutar himself.<ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Paul |title=Iron man statue is outsourcing magnet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Iron-man-statue-is-outsourcing-magnet/articleshow/55136676.cms |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=30 October 2016}}</ref>}} The ''Statue of Unity'' is a larger version of a statue of the leader installed at [[Ahmedabad International Airport]]. Commenting on the design, [[Ram V. Sutar|Ram Sutar]]'s son, Anil Sutar explains that, "the expression, posture and pose justify the dignity, confidence, iron will as well as kindness that his personality exudes. The head is up, a shawl flung from shoulders and hands are on the side as if he is set to walk". Three models of the design measuring {{convert|3|ft|m}}, {{convert|18|ft|m}}, and {{convert|30|ft|m}} were initially created. Once the design of the largest model was approved, a detailed 3D-scan was produced which formed the basis for the [[bronze]] cladding cast in a [[foundry]] in China.<ref name="ironman2.0" /><ref name="HTMaking">{{cite news |last1=Dave |first1=Hiral |title=Behind the making of Statue of Unity |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/behind-the-making-of-statue-of-unity/story-k67YKhhZaXb68ph5Zos54M.html |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Patel's dhoti-clad legs and the use of sandals for footwear rendered the design thinner at the base than at the top thereby affecting its stability. This was addressed by maintaining a [[slenderness ratio]] of 16:19 rather than the customary 8:14 ratio of other tall buildings.<ref name="ironman2.0" /> The statue is built to withstand winds of up to {{convert|180|kph}} and earthquakes measuring 6.5 on the [[Richter scale]] which are at a depth of 10&nbsp;km and within a radius of 12&nbsp;km of the statue.<ref name="ibn" /><ref name="ironman2.0" /> This is aided by the use of two 250 tonne [[tuned mass damper]]s ensuring maximum stability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-02 |title=India Unveils 'Statue of Unity' - The Worlds Largest Statue |url=https://www.borntoengineer.com/india-unveils-statue-of-unity-the-worlds-largest-statue |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Born to Engineer |language=en |quote=Two 250 tonne tuned mass dampers were placed at chest height to control the sway in high winds.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-23 |title=The Statue of Unity {{!}} Sardar Patel {{!}} L&T |url=https://www.larsentoubro.com/corporate/products-and-services/sardar-patel/the-statue-of-unity |access-date=2022-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323231651/https://www.larsentoubro.com/corporate/products-and-services/sardar-patel/the-statue-of-unity |archive-date=23 March 2019 |quote=To arrest any sway of such a tall structure, two Tuned Mass Dampers of 250 tonnes each have been used.}}</ref>

The total height of the structure is {{convert|240|m||abbr=on}}, with a base of {{convert|58|m||abbr=on}} and the statue measuring {{convert|182|m||abbr=on}}.<ref name="ibn">{{cite news|url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/gujarat-sardar-patel-statue-to-be-twice-the-size-of-statue-of-liberty/431317-3-238.html|title=Gujarat: Sardar Patel statue to be twice the size of Statue of Liberty|date=30 October 2013|access-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031222804/http://m.ibnlive.com/news/gujarat-sardar-patel-statue-to-be-twice-the-size-of-statue-of-liberty/431317-3-238.html|archive-date=31 October 2013|url-status=live|publisher=CNN-IBN}}</ref> The height of 182 metres was specifically chosen to match the number of seats in the [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]].<ref name="iedate" /><ref name="ironman2.0">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-statue-of-unity-worlds-tallest-statue-iron-man-5370011/|title=Iron Man 2.0|last=Raja|first=Aditi|date=23 September 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=16 November 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Larsen & Toubro|L&T]] employed over 3000 workers and 250 engineers in the statue's construction. The core of the statue used {{convert|210,000|m3|ft3}} of cement and concrete, 6,500 tonnes of structural steel, and 18,500 tonnes of reinforced steel. The outer façade is made up of 1,700 tonnes of bronze plates and 1,850 tonnes of bronze cladding which in turn consists of 565 macro and 6000 micro panels. The bronze panels were cast in Jiangxi Tongqing Metal Handicrafts Co. Ltd (the TQ Art foundry) in China as facilities large enough for such casting were unavailable in India.<ref name="LM31OCT">{{cite news |title=Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity inauguration today: World's tallest statue is an engineering marvel |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/z9KNZfDJBIFtkYn2o7pRVN/Sardar-Patels-Statue-of-Unity-inauguration-today-Worlds-t.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031045812/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/z9KNZfDJBIFtkYn2o7pRVN/Sardar-Patels-Statue-of-Unity-inauguration-today-Worlds-t.html |archive-date=31 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sardar-patels-statue-of-unity-to-be-unveiled-in-gujarat-on-wednesday/articleshow/66431623.cms|title=Statue of Unity to be unveiled in Gujarat on Wednesday|work=The Economic Times|access-date=31 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="ironman2.0" /> The bronze panels were transported over sea and then by road to a workshop near the construction site where they were assembled.<ref name="ironman2.0" />

Local tribals belonging to the Tadvi tribe opposed the land acquisition for the development of tourism infrastructure around the statue.<ref name="BBCFarmers">{{cite news |title=Indian farmers fume at 430m dollars cost of Gujarat statue |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45978120 |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=BBC News |date=28 October 2018}}</ref> Around 300 activists were arrested ahead of unveiling of the statue.<ref name="activistArrests">{{cite news |title='Statue of Unity tourism zone will displace us from our lands': Why Adivasis protested Modi event |url=https://scroll.in/article/900473/drowned-dreams-why-nearly-300-adivasis-were-detained-before-modi-could-unveil-the-statue-of-unity |work=Scroll.in |date=1 November 2018}}</ref> People of Kevadia, Kothi, Waghodia, Limbdi, Navagam, and Gora villages opposed the construction of the statue and demanded the restitution of the land rights over {{convert|927|acre||order=flip}} of land acquired earlier for the dam as well as for the formation of a new Garudeshwar [[Taluka|subdistrict]]. They also opposed the formation of Kevadia Area Development Authority (KADA) and the construction of the Garudeshwar weir-cum-causeway project. The government of Gujarat accepted most of their demands.<ref name="vill">{{cite news | url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/surat/Statue-of-Unity-Govt-bows-to-villagers-demands/articleshow/24831601.cms | title=Statue of Unity: Govt bows to villagers' demands | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=28 October 2013 | agency=TNN | access-date=30 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101032725/http://m.timesofindia.com/city/surat/Statue-of-Unity-Govt-bows-to-villagers-demands/articleshow/24831601.cms | archive-date=1 November 2013 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Construction of the monument was completed in mid-October 2018; and the inaugural ceremony was held on 31 October 2018 (143rd birth anniversary of [[Vallabhbhai Patel]]), and was presided over by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/statue-of-unity-ready-for-inauguration-on-october-31-10-interesting-facts-about-worlds-tallest-statue/1347830/|title=Statue of Unity ready for inauguration on October 31: 10 interesting facts about world's tallest&nbsp;statue|date=13 October 2018|work=The Financial Express|access-date=13 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013105552/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/statue-of-unity-ready-for-inauguration-on-october-31-10-interesting-facts-about-worlds-tallest-statue/1347830/|archive-date=13 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-to-unveil-statue-of-unity-on-oct-31-rupani/articleshow/64908893.cms|title=PM Modi to unveil Statue of Unity on Oct 31: Rupani|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 July 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190518/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-to-unveil-statue-of-unity-on-oct-31-rupani/articleshow/64908893.cms|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The statue has been described as a tribute to Indian engineering skills.<ref>{{cite news |title=Statue of Unity is also a tribute to Indian engineering skills |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/statue-of-unity-also-a-tribute-to-indian-engineering-skills-says-l-t-118102800216_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=28 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028112519/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/statue-of-unity-also-a-tribute-to-indian-engineering-skills-says-l-t-118102800216_1.html |archive-date=28 October 2018 |url-status=live  |agency=Press Trust of India }}</ref>

The ''Statue of Unity'' is the world's tallest statue at {{convert|182|m|ft}}. It rises {{convert|54|m|ft}} higher than the previous record holder, the [[Spring Temple Buddha]] in China's [[Henan]] province.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doshi |first1=Vidhi |title=Four times as tall as the Statue of Liberty: India's new monument to its 'Iron Man' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/four-times-as-big-as-the-statue-of-liberty-indias-new-monument-to-its-iron-man/2018/10/28/c510a342-d868-11e8-9559-712cbf726d1c_story.html |access-date=8 November 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=29 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The previous tallest statue in India was the {{convert|41|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall statue of Lord [[Hanuman]] at the [[Paritala Anjaneya Temple]] near [[Vijayawada]] in the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. The statue can be seen within a {{convert|7|km|abbr=on}} radius.<ref name="ironman2.0" />

The monument is constructed on a river island named Sadhu Bet, {{convert|3.2|km||abbr=on}} away from and facing the [[Narmada Dam]] downstream.<ref name="ibn" /> The statue and its surroundings occupy more than {{convert|2|ha}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ijream.org/papers/IJREAMV05I0149113.pdf|title=Statue of Unity or Opportunity? An Argumentative Review|publisher=International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management (IJREAM)|access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> and are surrounded by a {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} long artificial lake formed by the Garudeshwar [[weir]] downstream on the Narmada river.<ref>{{cite news |last1=S Rangan |first1=Pavithra |title=Big Man, Little Folks |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/big-man-little-folks/293123 |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=26 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="ironman2.0" />

Over 128,000 tourists visited the statue in the 11 days after its opening to the public on 1 November 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=In 11 Days, More than 1.28 Lakh Tourists Visit Statue Of Unity |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-11-days-over-1-28-lakh-tourists-visit-statue-of-unity-1945761 |access-date=14 November 2018 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> The daily average tourist footfall at ''Statue of Unity'' during November 2019 reached 15,036, outpacing the [[Statue of Liberty]] (which attracts around 10,000 daily visitors on average).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/statue-of-unity-attracts-more-daily-visitors-than-statue-of-liberty/article30189605.ece|title=Statue of Unity gets more visitors daily than Statue of Liberty: SSNNL|website=@businessline| date=5 December 2019 |language=en|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> It has been included in the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]]'s '8 Wonders of SCO' list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/statue-of-unity-finds-place-in-8-wonders-of-sco-120011301637_1.html|title=Statue of Unity finds place in '8 Wonders of SCO'|last=ANI|date=13 January 2020|work=Business Standard =15 January 2020}}</ref> In its first year of operation, the ''Statue of Unity'' attracted {{lakh|29}} visitors and collected {{INRconvert|year=2019|82|c|mode=historical}}  in ticket revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-10|title=Gujarat Statue of Unity attracted 2.9 mn tourists, earned400cr in one year|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/gujarat-statue-of-unity-attracted-2-9-mn-tourists-earned-rs-82-cr-in-one-year-11575993073934.html|access-date=2020-12-13|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> By 15 March 2021, {{lakh|50}} tourists visited the venue.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gujarat: Statue of Unity crosses 50 lakh visitors-mark|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/gujarat-statue-of-unity-crosses-50-lakh-visitors-mark/articleshow/81507199.cms|access-date=2021-03-15}}</ref> It was visited by 10 million people by November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tere |first=Tushar |date=2022-11-10 |title=Footfalls At Sou Hit 1 Crore Mark |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/footfalls-at-sou-hit-1-crore-mark/articleshow/95415498.cms |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>