Patel’s grandnephew says it’s a tribute long overdue, but Sardar would have said ‘no’ to statue 

Dhirubhai Patel.

Terming the Statue of Unity as a tribute long overdue to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, his grandnephew, 91-year-old Dhirubhai Patel, however, said “he (Sardar Patel) would have said no to it.”

Talking to reporters while attending the unveiling of the Statue of Unity, Dhirubhai said, “If we had asked him (Sardar Patel) that if he wanted a statue in his name, he would have said no. He grew up in a humble background. He understood the value of money.”

Statue of Unity.

Dhirubhai Patel, however, said, “We are happy that he has finally got his due … He was a man of vision and conviction.”

Dhirubhai’s daughter and Sardar Patel’s great grandniece, 62-year-old Malini Patel, said, “Compared to what he (Sardar Patel) did for the country, and to what he represents, this figure (the statue) is nothing.”

Dhirubhai Patel is the son of Sardar Patel’s nephew Purshottambhai Patel.

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