GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday started the Ekta Rath Yatra phase-II from Aslali here in Ahmedabad to spread the knowledge about contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting 562 erstwhile princely states in India at the time of Independence.Speaking on the occasion, Rupani said the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, has been built to spread the message."About 25,000 people are visiting the site of the statue daily. It has emerged as a pilgrims centre. Had there been no Sardar Patel, we would have to apply for visa for going from Somnath temple to Gir Lion Sanctuary (Junagarh). Sardar Patel had also reconstructed the Somnath temple," Rupani said.He called upon the people of Gujarat to rise above regional, communal, religious and linguistic parochialism and imbibe the ideals shown by Sardar Patel as the most befitting tribute to the Iron Man of India.Rupani said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had revived the stories of sacrifices and valour of illustrious sons of India like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Dr Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar and Shyamji Krishna Verma.In phase-I, 59 Ekta Raths had fanned out across the state to cover 171 talukas in 33 districts from October 20 to 29 last. Nearly 16 lakh people joined these yatras.District development officer and in-charge collector Arun Mahesh Babu said the Rath would meander through 41 villages besides Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation areas.

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