CM Bhupendra Patel Takes Selfie With Tourists at Statue of Unity
Synopsis
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took a selfie with tourists at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia during #EktaPrakashParv2026 on 17 October 2026, spotlighting the site's continued role as a flagship destination for heritage tourism in India.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel was photographed taking a selfie with tourists at the Statue of Unity on 17 October 2026 .
The visit coincided with #EktaPrakashParv2026 , festivities building toward Sardar Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October .
The Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Narmada district was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 .
At 182 metres , it remains the world's tallest statue and a flagship Gujarat tourism asset.
The Gujarat government regularly uses the Sardar Patel anniversary window to drive visitor campaigns and cultural programming at the site.
At the foot of the world's tallest statue, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stepped out of protocol and into the frame — snapping a selfie with tourists visiting the Statue of Unity on Saturday, 17 October 2026, during the ongoing #EktaPrakashParv2026 celebrations in Kevadia, Narmada district.
A landmark that draws the crowd
The Statue of Unity — a 182-metre colossus honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — has anchored Gujarat's heritage tourism ambitions since Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 31 October 2018, the 143rd birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India. Since then, it has consistently ranked among India's most-visited domestic attractions, drawing both national and international footfall to the Narmada valley.
CM Patel's impromptu selfie moment with visitors signals the personal outreach Gujarat's leadership has built around the site — positioning Kevadia not just as a monument but as a living symbol of national unity worth experiencing firsthand.
Ekta Prakash Parv and the calendar of unity
The hashtag #EktaPrakashParv2026 — loosely translating to 'Festival of Unity's Light' — points to programming timed around Sardar Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October, a date the Gujarat government has historically marked with events, cultural showcases, and outreach drives at the site. The Gujarat government has consistently used this window to amplify visitor campaigns and reinforce the statue's identity as a pillar of heritage tourism.
Exact details of this year's official programme have not been confirmed through public record, but the Chief Minister's visible presence at the site mid-festival underlines the state's continued investment in the monument as both a tourism asset and a political symbol of BJP-championed nationalism.
Point of View
Such gestures reinforce the party's claim to Patel's legacy while simultaneously giving Gujarat's tourism sector a high-visibility push. The informal, tourist-friendly framing also projects accessibility — a Chief Minister 'among the people' rather than behind a podium. Watch whether footfall announcements or fresh tourism targets follow in the days leading up to 31 October.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Statue of Unity located?
The Statue of Unity is located in Kevadia , Narmada district , Gujarat, along the Narmada river near the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Who built the Statue of Unity and when was it inaugurated?
The Statue of Unity was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018 , the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is the world's tallest statue at 182 metres .
What is EktaPrakashParv?
EktaPrakashParv — 'Festival of Unity's Light' — is a celebration associated with Sardar Patel's birth anniversary on 31 October , marked with cultural and civic events at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Who is Bhupendra Patel?
Bhupendra Patel is the Chief Minister of Gujarat and a senior BJP leader, in office since September 2021 . He has championed tourism and cultural promotion around the Statue of Unity.
Why does Gujarat government promote the Statue of Unity so actively?
The Gujarat government positions the Statue of Unity as a flagship heritage tourism destination and a symbol of national unity, using it to attract domestic and international visitors and to reinforce the BJP's association with Sardar Patel's legacy.
