Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that attempts were made post-Independence to forget Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his contributions, but the situation changed and the world’s tallest statue was an example of the changed realities.

Shah paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 146th birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia.

Also read: Why Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary celebrated as National Unity Day

“After independence, his contributions were never given due respect. He was neither given Bharat Ratna nor proper respect. Situation changed. He was given Bharat Ratna and this world’s tallest statue is before us to see,” Shah said after paying tribute to Patel.

He said Kevadia was not just the name of a place, it had become a shrine — a shrine of national unity and patriotism.

“This sky-high statue of Sardar Patel is giving a message to the world that India’s future is bright, that nobody can damage the unity and integrity,” ANI quoted Shah as saying.

Also read: National Unity Day: Quotes by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that envision his India

“Today’s National Unity Day is a day of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav… After Independence, while leaving, Britishers had conspired to divide into several pieces. Patel foiled that conspiracy and resolved to make ‘akhand Bharat’,” Shah said after presiding over the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ (National Unity Day) function.

Meanwhile, Men’s hockey team captain, Olympian Manpreet Singh, and other athletes were also present in the parade in Kevadia.

National Unity Day was introduced by the Narendra Modi-led central government in 2014.