‘Kashmir to Kevadia’: PM Modi Appreciates Omar Abdullah’s Visit to Statue of Unity, Sabarmati Riverfront
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat, stating that the visit conveys a significant message of unity and will motivate others to visit the iconic monument.
“Kashmir to Kevadia! Happy to see Shri Omar Abdullah Ji enjoying his run at the Sabarmati Riverfront and visiting the Statue of Unity. His visit to the SoU sends a strong message of unity and will encourage our fellow citizens to explore various parts of India,” PM Modi shared in a post on X.
The J-K Chief Minister is currently on a two-day trip to Gujarat for a tourism exhibition, aimed at attracting travellers from the state. According to news agency IANS, he is expected to meet with tour operators and re-engage with the domestic tourism sector after the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident, which had a major impact on Kashmir’s tourism.
Abdullah, while expressing his appreciation for the world’s tallest statue, stated, “I had heard a lot about the Statue of Unity, but I never imagined it would be this grand until I saw it in person. It is truly a fitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and represents the spirit of New India,” as quoted by news agency ANI.
He also toured the Sardar Sarovar Dam and lauded the project for supplying water to regions affected by drought. He expressed hope that following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, similar developmental projects could be explored in Jammu and Kashmir to address shortages in water and electricity.
“This dam has supplied water to areas that previously faced severe drought… It has been unfortunate for Jammu & Kashmir that we couldn’t even consider such initiatives since we were not allowed to halt water flow. Now, with the Indus Water Treaty suspended, perhaps such a project can be taken up in J&K too, ensuring adequate power and water availability,” he remarked, as per ANI.
Earlier today, the J-K Chief Minister went for a morning jog at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and appreciated the well-known walkway, calling it “one of the nicest places” he’s run.
“While attending a tourism event in #Ahmedabad, I took the opportunity to go for my morning run along the beautiful Sabarmati Riverfront. It’s one of the finest places I’ve ever run and it was a delight to share the space with many other runners and walkers. I even managed to run past the stunning Atal Foot Bridge,” he posted on X along with photographs from the riverfront.
A day prior, he made a courtesy visit to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.
Speaking about his Gujarat visit, Abdullah mentioned that Gujarat is one of the top three states from where a large number of tourists travel to Jammu and Kashmir.
“If you look at the last 30-35 years, since tourism started developing, three states have consistently sent the highest number of tourists to J&K—Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. My team and I are here for a tourism fair to represent J-K, and we hope to see a good influx of tourists from Gujarat soon,” he said.
It is noteworthy that Abdullah is among the few senior opposition leaders who have visited the world’s tallest statue. Most opposition leaders have stayed away from the Statue of Unity since its unveiling in October 2018.
About the Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity is a monumental tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a prominent leader in India’s freedom movement and the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister.
This towering statue of Sardar Patel, approximately 2.5 times the height of Delhi’s Qutub Minar and facing the majestic Sardar Sarovar Dam, was inaugurated on October 31, 2018.
Standing at 182 metres, it is the tallest statue in the world—23 metres taller than China’s Spring Temple Buddha and twice as high as the Statue of Liberty in the USA.
