Transformation is the keyword
This one is a quick weekend fix trip. It took me to a place that made me change my vision about the transformation happening in my country crystal clear.
I am traveling to Kevadiya situated in the Narmada district of Gujarat to the “Statue of Unity”
ROAD TRIPPING
From my hometown Nashik, Kevadiya is 350 km and hence a road trip through the Ghats is on the cards. We are to drive through the Dang tribal area very much near to Maharashtra border which crosses into Gujarat. So I am truly blessed with the region I Stay in, and for the quick trips, I can take.
The roads are superb and driving through the Ghats is adventurous but pleasurable. It’s the beginning of the fall season. True to itself the fall season makes sure that this SAL forest is devoid of leaves. The earth and the foliage bear the same color. Forest bears an arid look though it’s just the beginning, the summers are going to be harsh.
Every Season is the best Season to Travel …?
Travel is so much in my blood, the more I travel I learn fast and learn to adjust to the environment and the surroundings and this now has become my second nature.
All said and done, avoid summers to go to this very beautiful tribal area from March to June. The best season to travel is monsoons and winters.
The Blessed District
The Narmada district lies between the Satpura and the Vindhychal Hills.
Around 1:40 p.m. after a six-hour drive, we enter Kevadiya also called “Ekta Nagar”.
The heat forces you to stay indoors, but an evening at 5:00 p.m. and we are all set to go to the “Statue of Unity” for the statue mapping show. The greenery in the summers catches our eyes along with superbly maintained roads.
Kevadiya is very strategically located with close Proximity and connectivity to Ahmedabad, Baroda, and other metros by train and Road.
Love for trains but now for Railway stations too
With an early evening start, this impressive tricolor structure attracts us.
The impressive Façade of uber cool “Ekta Nagar” railway station narrates the transformation story.
With relaxing spaces, facilities, amenities, and a connecting train schedule, this is the first of its kind and I mentally compare it with a Western country. The train whistle brings me back to the Platform and I ask myself, why am I to compare this to the Western world and not to my own countries or any other railway stations?
Transformation is the keyword. I love for my country is another keyword. Employment generation is the third. Sustaining and monitoring are another. I stand their loss as it is after 2 years, I am experiencing this and I am loving it. Systems should be citizen-centric and not government or politically-driven.
Facilities for the Common Man
The clock tells me it’s about time to leave for my 6:00 pm. “Statue Mapping Show.” As we park we are guided to the government bus service which takes us to the statue. That’s quick, fast, and free. Paid bus rides private pay taxis and Eco Autos are available but not required as the service is absolutely quick.
The bus rides surprised us, as we looked right and left, our jaw dropped to the beautiful peaks of the Satpuras and the Vindhychal. Hidden among these, is this humongous statue and you sprain your neck and rotate your eyes to see the almost sky-touching tall statue.
The Zone is first India’s electric vehicle zone. Most EVs are driven by women. Employment is the keyword.
I am too excited to see the vast vessel of river Narmada. She is miraculous and I’m in love with her. At the far end is the “Sardar Sarovar Dam “and at the other is “The Statue of Unity.”
A great leader of a Nation
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel” worked hard to keep the United India dream and in reality keeps us united. As we embark on the bus, childlike excitement takes over, yes childlike because there is so much to see around, to feel around and you have goosebumps as your throat chokes up with pride and patriotism.
Every element of nature surrounding complements each other and river Narmada bears the mirror image of each. It’s a beautiful synergy of all the Natural Creations along with the human creation of concrete and Technology.
Verifying online booked tickets, one can experience the Uber transformation of the place with zero cash transactions and rules being strictly followed. This small village now called the “Ekta Nagar” earlier called Kevadiya feels and lives the transformation through the systems implemented.
Transformation
What catches you up is the vision and mission to put the whole infra in place. The Mind’s thought process to do something so very humongous and yet so beautiful, where thousands of tourists from all across the world and nation are attracted. My excitement and my camera both are on the highest level.
With one eye on the statue and another on our seats for the 6:00 p.m. mind mapping show, we enter the arena equipped for public use. Facilities are for the public and that has to be the primary goal. Very well thought of the place is really well-curated.
One can’t take eyes off the Statue
Yet never lose sight of the beautiful statue which stands tall at 182 meters, the tallest in the world. it’s been compared to many of the major iconic tall monuments of the world and it takes away the prize for being the tallest.
The science behind the making of the statue
I am not an expert here but felt proud about how so many little nuances were looked into.
- Height: It stands twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. At182 meters it’s the tallest in the world.
- Master sculptor – Ram V. Sutar a Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee takes away the applause and adulation.
- Location: It faces the Sardar Sarovar Dam and is located between Vindhya and Satpura hills
- Strength: Can withstand earthquakes and winds of around 100 km per second.
- Alloys: using 130 tons of scrap iron gathered from over 100 million farmers residing across 169,000 Indian villages. What a great, beautiful, and mindful contribution to the “Kissan Putra” Statue
- Statue Exterior: Bronze which will turn green due to natural oxidation in about 100 years. Inside is a web of steel and concrete and is a wonderful sight from the viewing gallery.
- Expression: Known as the “Iron Man” the statue reflects determination along with compassion and kindness through his eyes.
The Mind Mapping show brings out the commendable work of this great leader, his hard work and dedication, and his family background which enthralls the audience. I am sure many must have felt that huge tug at the heart to do something for the nation. This creation of Patriotism is applauded with exuberant patriotic slogans.
Super happening Place with lots to do
A family tourist destination is decorated with many more attractions for all age groups. There are Gardens, museums and much more.
Monday is a day when the “SOU” is closed for maintenance. But we couldn’t avoid Monday, so we visited the other tourist destination around SO”.
The beautiful Swaminarayan Temple at “OICHA”. The Narmada aarti at the Neel Kantheshwar temple at the foothills of Shulpaneshwar is a worldly experience.
And Tuesday our third day around we were back to see the statue from very close and to my surprise, we a group of 5 with a 90-year-old grandma didn’t have any issues at all carrying her up to the viewing gallery.
With four high-speed lifts and escalators, we are up at 153 meters at the viewing gallery. I felt like the lifts at Burj Khalifa … but in Ekta Nagar at the Statue of Unity. The view is beautiful and you are dumbstruck.
Transformation is the Keyword
I summarize the blog with the word transformation, of the place, people, and their lives. Transformation of any and everything especially at the national level needs leaders, a deep thought process keeping the common man as the prime Objective along with values and culture. This also takes a lot of perseverance as implementation is exhaustive and can and many times has gone wrong.
But at Kevadia and the SOU, the transformation of the place has brought employment and awareness, both these are keeping this place very clean and sustainable and a lot of education is happening for the younger generation which can be seen percolated in other stakeholders. It is said when a girl/mother is educated she educates many more.
I could see somebody has taken that place at the country level at the state level and at the regional level and it’s a beautifully transformed place today making it a very happy happening visit tourist site spreading an important Patriotism message.
