Junagadh to pay befitting tribute to Sardar Patel on Liberation Day

Incidentally, the BJP had captured power from Congress in the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) after winning civic elections this July. The proposed Statue of Unity is a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had initiated it during his days as chief minister of Gujarat. The statue is proposed to come up on an island in Narmada river, downstream the Narmada dam in Narmada district. The state government recently issued work order for the around Rs 3,000 crore project.

As is customary, the celebrations will begin with poojan (worshipping) of Victory Tower on the ground of Bahauddin College in Junagadh. It was here that Sardar Patel had addressed the first public meeting after the Nawab escaped to Pakistan and Junagadh was liberated on November 9, 1947.

“The poojan will follow a public meeting where completed development works will be dedicated to the public while foundation stones of others will be laid. A similar programme will also be organised in the evening. These projects are worth Rs 30 crore approximately,” Hirapara further said.

Chairman of the standing committee of JMC, Sanjay Koradiya said foundation stones will be laid for development of the historic Damodar Kund and Narsinh Mehta Choro at the cost of Rs 7 crore and Rs 4 crore respectively. “Besides, a LED lighting project on the road from Majewadi Gate to Bhavnath Taleti and 24 newly installed high-mast lighting towers will be dedicated to the public. Newly built urban health centre and a community hall will also be dedicated to the public. By these programmes, we have sought to join public welfare projects with the Liberation Day celebrations,”said Koradiya.

The twin ceremonies will be followed by a public rally to raise awareness about cleanliness under the banner of “Liberated Junagadh, Clean Junagadh”. It will begin from Sardar Patel statue in Kalva Chowk and end at Bahauddin College ground where fireworks will be displayed. Around 12 persons who fought the rule of Nawab will also be felicitated before a musical evening, Koradiya further said.

The Congress-ruled JMC used to mark the day by poojan of the Victory Tower, felicitation of liberation soldiers and musical night as well as illuminating JMC main office. The mayor said they would take a call if any other important building will also be illuminated on Sunday.