Shekhawat shares PM Modi's rainforest visit at Ekta Nagar
Synopsis
Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat livestreamed PM Modi's visit to a rainforest attraction at Ekta Nagar on October 31, spotlighting the Gujarat site's growing tourism infrastructure around the Statue of Unity.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi visited a rainforest attraction at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat on 31 October 2026 .
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the visit live on X.
Ekta Nagar , formerly Kevadia, is home to the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue at 182 metres — inaugurated in October 2018 .
The government has developed Ekta Nagar into a multi-attraction domestic tourism hub under the Dekho Apna Desh initiative.
Prime ministerial visits to such sites typically signal attention to tourism infrastructure development and possible future announcements.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared a live broadcast on Saturday, October 31, 2026, showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting a rainforest attraction at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat — the flagship national unity destination built around the world's tallest statue.
Ekta Nagar: From Kevadia to a tourism landmark
Ekta Nagar, formerly known as Kevadia, was rechristened to reflect its identity as India's national unity hub. It is home to the Statue of Unity, the 182-metre monument to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated by PM Modi in October 2018. Since then, the government has systematically developed the surrounding area into a multi-attraction tourism ecosystem, drawing visitors from across the country.
PM Modi at the rainforest — a signal for tourism infrastructure
Prime ministerial visits to sites like Ekta Nagar are rarely incidental. They serve as high-visibility endorsements of tourism infrastructure, routinely signalling upcoming announcements on new facilities, visitor experience upgrades, or investment in heritage and ecological attractions. The rainforest feature, apparently part of the wider Ekta Nagar complex, adds a nature-tourism dimension to what has primarily been a monuments-and-heritage destination.
Minister Shekhawat, who holds the Culture and Tourism portfolio, amplifying the visit live underscores the government's intent to project Ekta Nagar as a model for domestic tourism development — blending national symbolism with ecological and recreational draws.
Domestic tourism's centrepiece
Ekta Nagar has become one of the most visited sites in India since its development, attracting millions of tourists annually. The government's broader push for 'Dekho Apna Desh' (Explore Your Own Country) has leaned heavily on flagship sites like this to channel domestic travel away from traditional leisure circuits. A prime ministerial walk through a rainforest attraction is precisely the kind of visual that anchors a tourism campaign.
Whether today's visit precedes a formal announcement on new tourism projects at the site remains to be confirmed — but the lens of India's top leadership is now firmly pointed at Ekta Nagar, once again.
Point of View
Amplified live by the Culture and Tourism Minister, fits a well-established pattern of using high-profile political presence to validate and promote domestic tourism infrastructure. Ekta Nagar has been the BJP government's most prominent symbol of unity-themed nation-building tourism since 2018, and continued investment in its attractions directly serves the 'Dekho Apna Desh' narrative ahead of any electoral cycle. Minister Shekhawat's real-time broadcast signals that the Culture Ministry is keen to keep Ekta Nagar in the national conversation. Watch for follow-on announcements on new facilities or footfall targets at the site.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ekta Nagar and where is it located?
Ekta Nagar, formerly called Kevadia, is a town in Gujarat, India , best known as the site of the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue at 182 metres — dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated in October 2018 .
Why did PM Modi visit Ekta Nagar on October 31 2026?
PM Narendra Modi visited a rainforest attraction at Ekta Nagar on 31 October 2026 , as shared live by Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on X. The full purpose of the visit has not been officially detailed beyond the broadcast.
What tourism attractions are at Ekta Nagar besides the Statue of Unity?
Beyond the Statue of Unity , Ekta Nagar has been developed with a range of tourist facilities as part of the government's flagship domestic tourism push. A rainforest feature, as highlighted in the October 2026 PM visit, represents the site's expanding ecological and nature-tourism offerings.
Who is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism , a senior BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP from Jodhpur, Rajasthan .
What is the Dekho Apna Desh initiative?
Dekho Apna Desh — meaning 'Explore Your Own Country' — is the Indian government's campaign to promote domestic tourism, with sites like Ekta Nagar serving as centrepieces of the programme.
