Joint initiative by Area Development and Tourism Regulatory Authority and Gujarat Sahitya Akademi
The Statue of Unity, already renowned as a popular tourist destination, has now become a hub for art and literature enthusiasts. A three-day “Sardar Samipe Sahitya Gosthi” was organized at Ektanagar from July 5th to July 6th, 2023, in collaboration with the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Regulatory Authority, and the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi. The event aimed to celebrate literature and explore Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s literary contributions.
The inauguration of the “Sardar Samipe Sahitya Gosthi” was graced by Bhagyesh Jha, Chairman of the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, and Udit Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer of the Statue of Unity. Speaking at the event, Udit Agarwal highlighted that the world’s tallest statue of Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands tall at Ektanagar, a visionary initiative by PM Narendra Modi. The Statue of Unity, which has become the preferred destination for tourists, now also welcomes art students and literature enthusiasts. Mr. Agarwal acknowledged the efforts undertaken under the guidance of Mr. Mukesh Puri, Chairman of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Regulatory Authority, expressing optimism that the statue would now attract art and literature lovers as well.
Furthermore, Agarwal mentioned that the “Sardar Samipe Sahitya Gosthi” program, held at Ektanagar, would be documented and shared with tourists, aiming to inspire and engage those who visit the site.
Bhagyesh Jha, Chairman of the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, expressed his satisfaction with the program. Approximately 40 writers from across Gujarat participated in the three-day event, featuring discussions on Sardar Vallabhbhai’s literary contributions, trends in Gujarati literature, and the influence of Sardar in literature. This marked the first time such discussions took place at the Statue of Unity, and Mr. Jaha expressed delight in the program’s success. Recognizing the significance of literary activities as a reflection of community culture and social life, he reiterated the commitment to collaborate constructively with the administration of the Statue of Unity in future endeavors.
The “Sardar Samipe Sahitya Gosthi” witnessed the presence of notable individuals including Dr. Jayendra Singh Jadav, Mahamatra of Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, senior literary figure Manilal H. Patel, poets Tushar Shukla and Vinod Joshi, and Saumil Munshi. Also in attendance were officials from the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Regulatory Authority, including Additional Collector Himanshu Parikh and Deputy Collector Shivam Baria.
