Statue of Unity | Business Upturn

Gujrat’s top tourism places: Explore Ahmedabad, Somnath and more!

Jennifer Philip — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:30:44 +0000

Gujarat, the westernmost state of India, is a captivating destination renowned for its natural splendour, rich cultural heritage, and historical significance. This state beckons visitors with diverse attractions, including numerous historical sites, breathtaking beaches, picturesque hills, enthralling wildlife sanctuaries, vibrant festivals celebrated with great fervour and a delectable culinary tradition. Aptly called the ‘Land of Legends,’ Gujarat offers an exceptional vacation experience, whether one is travelling with friends, and family, or embarking on a solo adventure. With its multifaceted charms, Gujarat stands as a superb destination for creating unforgettable memories.

Best time to visit: For those considering a visit to the western Indian state of Gujarat, the ideal time to plan your trip is from November to February. During this period, the weather is delightfully pleasant, and the warm sunshine serves as a perfect companion as you venture outdoors, exploring one captivating sightseeing destination after another in the refreshing air.

Here are the top places to visit on your next trip to Gujrat:

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is a major city in Gujarat that is rapidly growing as a metropolis, industrial hub, and educational centre. Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, this former state capital is rich in culture and cuisine, making it an emerging tourist destination. The historic old city area of Ahmedabad has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city is home to many remarkable temples like the Swaminarayan Temple, interesting museums, and vibrant traditional markets. Despite its modern progress, Ahmedabad has managed to retain its old-world charm and colonial heritage. It is particularly renowned for its textile industry, including the famous bandhani tie-dye technique used to create exquisite sarees, dupattas, embroidered dress materials, and other local handicrafts that are popular for shopping.

Overall, Ahmedabad seamlessly blends its historical legacy with rapid urban development, offering visitors a unique experience of Gujarat’s culture, architecture, and thriving textile tradition.

Kutch

Kutch is a unique region in India that was once a princely state. Its tortoise-like shape gives it an almost island-like feel. Kutch is renowned for its vast white salt deserts, which are a surreal and beautiful sight.

During the winter months of December to February, the Rann Festival is held across Kutch, featuring cultural programs, events, and adventure activities like hot-air ballooning amidst temporary settlements.

As one of India’s largest districts, Kutch has an extremely low population density. It borders Pakistan, allowing views into the neighbouring country from certain areas. Kutch is also famous for its crafts, embroidery, Flamingo Sanctuary, and Wild Ass Sanctuary.

The city of Bhuj serves as an ideal starting point to explore the Rann of Kutch region. The ancient town of Dholavira and the beautiful beaches of Mandvi near Bhuj are other attractions worth visiting while in Kutch.

Overall, Kutch offers a unique experience with its striking landscapes, cultural festivals, wildlife sanctuaries, and glimpses into the region’s rich history and craftsmanship.

Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Gir National Park in Gujarat is the last remaining home for the Asiatic lions. Located in the Talala Gir region, it is part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecosystem. The park is closed annually from June 16 to October 15, with April and May being the best months for spotting wildlife.

Gir provides a unique experience as it plays a crucial role in preserving and sustaining the Asiatic lion species. Conservation efforts initiated by the Nawab of Junagadh saved these lions from extinction due to hunting. The 2010 census counted 411 lions in the park.

Apart from lions, Gir is home to around 2,375 faunal species, including 38 mammal species, over 300 bird species, 37 reptile species, and over 2,000 insect species. Other important wildlife found here are leopards, chausingha (four-horned antelope), spotted deer, hyenas, sambar deer, and chinkara (Indian gazelle).

Overall, Gir offers visitors a chance to see the majestic Asiatic lions in their last remaining natural habitat, while also providing opportunities to spot diverse flora and fauna in this protected dry deciduous forest region.

Somnath

Somnath is a pilgrimage town known for the renowned Somnath Temple, one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas in Hinduism. The name ‘Somnath’ literally means ‘Lord of the Moon’. The town’s identity is deeply rooted in mythology, religion and legends surrounding it.

As a temple town, Somnath has a strong spiritual aura, with numerous temples in the area adding to its sacred environment. While the Somnath Temple and beach are the primary attractions, the town also offers other sites like Gita Mandir, Balukha Tirtha, Kamnath Mahadev Temple and Somnath Museum.

More than just a tourist destination, Somnath holds great religious significance. The legends and mythological tales associated with the Somnath Temple form an integral part of the town’s culture and heritage.

Visitors can experience the spiritual vibrance of Somnath by exploring its famous Jyotirlinga temple, along with other sacred shrines, while also enjoying the town’s beaches and museums showcasing its rich history.

Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, fondly known as the “Iron Man of India.” Standing at an incredible height of 182 meters, this bronze statue is currently the tallest in the world. It was erected to honour Patel’s vision for a unified India and inspire citizens through his patriotism and struggle for freedom.

Located in Gujarat, on the Sadhu Bet River island in the Narmada River, the Statue of Unity overlooks the Narmada Dam (Sardar Sarovar Dam) from a distance of 3.2 km. The surrounding area is envisioned to be developed into an economic hub with clean industries, research facilities, and educational institutions.

For the convenience of visitors, the statue will be well-connected via expressways, improved rail systems, and helipads. This grand memorial aims to propagate Patel’s vision for a united India and serve as a lasting tribute to one of the founding fathers of the Indian Republic.

Vadodara

Vadodara, also known as Baroda, is a major city in Gujarat, India. It is famous for its impressive architecture, including the grand Lakshmi Vilas Palace, one of the most luxurious palaces in India. Vadodara is considered the cultural capital of Gujarat and is particularly well-known for its vibrant celebration of the Navratri festival, which is observed with great enthusiasm and energy. The city is home to the prestigious Maharaja Sayajirao University and has a strong educational and industrial presence. It was envisioned by the Maratha ruler Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III as a centre for education, industry, and commerce, and continues to be an important city in Gujarat today.

(The article has been modified using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.)

Top 10 unknown & interesting facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Cheryll Jain — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 08:30:06 +0000

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel is a prominent character one is bound to come across when discovering about the latter half of the Indian freedom struggle movements that arose during the 20th century. Said to have been born on October 32, 1875 in Nadiad, Bombay Presidency, Vallabhbhai Patel went on to become the first deputy Prime Minister of the free republic of India.

Rightfully given the sobriquet ‘Iron man of India,’ Vallabhbhai Patel is credited with moulding the country into a unified nation as we know it. With a strong knack for persuasion and diplomacy and a vision of an integrated union of India he wished to bring to life, he was able to convince over five hundred princely states, who had been a part of the Dominion of India, to become a part of the country after independence from British rule.

His endeavour to solidify India as a republic went even further as he became the Minister of Home Affairs in the country under the leadership of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. During his short term, he worked to provide relief to the refugees who had fled Pakistan to arrive in Punjab and Delhi

In India, and around the world, he is awarded the endearment ‘Sardar’ — meaning chief — to symbolise his hard work and leadership under which India was equipped to stand as a strong, independent nation during the first few turbulent years of its inception as an integrated, democratic republic.

Even though Patel died in 1950, and was unable to see the fruits of his labour as India forged itself into a global superpower, his mark on the Indian freedom movement and how the country came to be is irrefutable, and his legacy unforgettable.

As an irreplaceable part of Indian history, here are 10 facts you might not know about the iron man of India:

1. Sardar Patel has received many aliases during his decades-long political career, courtesy of his unforgiving efforts to build a vital foundation for India to stand upon before and after independence. Besides being dubbed the Iron man of India, he is also recognized as the “patron saint of India’s civil servants” for having established the modern All India Service system.

Image courtesy: statueofunity.in

2. Before he joined the freedom struggle with full vigour, Patel was a practitioner of law at Godhra, Borsad and Anand in the state of Gujarat, after passing the bar examination. It is believed that as a poor student, he used to borrow books from senior lawyers to study for his bar examination.

3. Patel was an exceptional student during his academic life. At age 36, Patel travelled to England and enrolled in the Middle Temple Inn, a higher education Institute for barristers. There, he graduated from a 36-month course in just 30 months and topped the final examination despite not having any experience of college education beforehand.

4. The exact date of Sardar Patel’s birth is still a matter of dispute. There are no recorded documents of his date of birth as he was born before recording such aspects became a norm. However, he wrote October 31 as his birthdate during his matriculation examination, and thus, his birth anniversary is celebrated on that day every year as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity day to commemorate his efforts to unite India into an integrated whole.

Image courtesy: Wikipedia commons

5. Sardar Patel was not interested in joining the freedom struggle during its initial days, nor was he fond of the principles propagated by Mahatma Gandhi. But, after meeting Gandhi in 1917 in Godhra, Gujarat, he was taken with Gandhi’s vision and wisdom and went on to become one of his earliest political lieutenants and close confidants.

Image courtesy: the lallantop

6. As a central political lieutenant of Gandhi, Patel quit his job as a practising lawyer to immerse himself fully in resisting the British colonial rule and fighting for freedom through the non-violent methods directed by Gandhi. Subsequently, he became the secretary of Gujarat Sabha after joining the Indian National Congress and remained an essential part of the party even after Independence.

7. As a social reformer, Sardar Patel worked extensively to eradicate many social evils that plagued Indian society at the time. He fought for the rights of minorities and negotiated emancipatory measures for the upliftment of women. He was also vocal regarding his support for the abolition of untouchability and the discriminatory caste system.

8. Known as the architect of the modern republic of India, Sardar Patel played a key role in the unification of India. He is credited with integrating a total of 562 princely states into the Republic of India due to his unbound wisdom and tactical knowledge.

Image courtesy: dnaindia.com

9. Vallabhbhai Patel was posthumously bestowed with the Bharat Ratna — the country’s highest civilian award — in 1991 in recognition of his contribution to pre and post-independent India, forty-one years after his demise in 1950.

Image courtesy: pmoindia

10. The Statue of Unity, constructed in honour of Sardar Patel and his unprecedented efforts in forging the country into a united republic, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in 2018. Standing on the banks of the Narmada river, it is 182m or about 600 feet tall, making it the tallest standing statue in the world. The statue was built at a reported cost of Rs 2,989 crore.

Top 10 motivational & inspirational quotes by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Ayisha Farah — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 06:30:39 +0000

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man” of India, was born on October 31, 1875. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the architect of independent India, united 562 princely states to establish the Republic of India. On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 143rd birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of him in Gujarat, the “Statue of Unity.” At the height of 182 meters, it is the tallest statue in the world. The figure shows Sardar Patel, the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, wearing a dhoti and a shawl, towering over the Narmada River.

Here are 10 famous quotes from the Iron Man of India:

1) “The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but if it has the wholehearted co-operation of all on board it can be safely brought to part.”

2) “There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.”

3) “Every Indian should now forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in his country but with certain duties.”

4) “My only desire is that India should be a good producer and no one should be hungry, shedding tears for food in the country.”

5) “Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonised and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had said.”

6) “Faith is of no evil in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.”

7) “Take to the path of dharma – the path of truth and justice. Don’t misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.”

8) “Little pools of water tend to become stagnant and useless, but if they are joined together to form a big lake the atmosphere is cooled and there is universal benefit.”

9) “A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice, and the other we fight our won weaknesses.”

10) “We have to shed mutual bickering, shed the difference of being high or low, develop a sense of equality and banish untouchability. We have to restore the conditions of Swaraj prevalent prior to British rule. We have to live like children of the same father.”

Milind Soman completes ‘Unity Run’ of 400 km in a week from Shivaji Park to Statue of Unity

Shubham Rai — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:54:20 +0000

Milind Soman never stops amazing us with his fitness, eating habits and breaking new records now and then. Netizens are always amazed at his fitness level at the age of 55, in which most of us would prefer sitting at home and watching T.V. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in awe of his fitness while interacting with him at ‘Fit India Dialogue 2020’. This time Milind Soman has made headlines after he completed running 400 km in 7 days, starting from Shivaji Park in Mumbai to Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. Zoom tv reported about his achievement on their official Twitter handle where they wrote, “.@milindrunning‘s fitness level will leave you motivated”

The tweet:

.@milindrunning's fitness level will leave you motivatedhttps://t.co/nzcsHiqElq

— @zoomtv (@ZoomTV) August 25, 2021

Milind also shared about the physical challenges he faced while running such a strenuous marathon of 400km on Instagram with a photo. He wrote, “Running more than 400 km in a week is a challenge that I like to take up every few years, just to check my fitness level. I don’t train for it. The Unity Run was also a post-Covid challenge for me, to check if I have fully recovered. This time it was tougher as I did not have enough sleep in the week before the run, owing to a night film shoot. Three days into the run, after two days of torrential rain and one day of blistering humidity, at around 170km, I developed acute bronchitis as my immunity was low. The fever went up to 104.” In the photo, Milind can be seen holding the national flag high with the Statue of Unity in the background.

Lets’ look at Milind’s post:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milind Usha Soman (@milindrunning)