Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday officially launched the seaplane service from Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity, Kevadia. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
Twin otter 300 Seaplane successfully landed at Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad with PM Narendra Modi on board. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi boards the seaplane from Kevadia to fly to Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first home minister, at the 182-meter tall Statue of Unity on his 145th birth anniversary. Sardar Patel's birth anniversary is being celebrated as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day) since 2014. (Express photo by Aditi Raja)
Modi, whose two-day Gujarat visit started on Friday, reached the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in Narmada district this morning and offered flowers at the feet of the monument of Sardar Patel. (Source: Twitter/@souindia)
At the same time, rose petals were showered on the statue from helicopters. (Source: Twitter/@souindia)
Modi then headed to the parade ground and administered 'national unity pledge' to the gathering on this occasion. (Express photo by Aditi Raja)
Addressing the country, PM Modi Saturday urged people “not to play into the hands” of those who questioned the sacrifice of the soldiers in Pulwama. Referring to a comment made by Pakistan Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhary in the Pakistan National Assembly earlier this week, where he called the Pulwama attack an “achievement of the Imran Khan government”, Modi said divisive forces have been exposed. He also said India’s perspective at the borders has now changed, and the country is equipped to give a fitting reply to intruders. (Express photo by Aditi Raja)
Speaking after the Ekta Parade at the Statue of Unity, where paramilitary forces showcased their skills, PM Modi said, “While I was watching the Ekta Diwas parade by the paramilitary forces, images of the Pulwama attack crossed my mind. The slain soldiers were also from the paramilitary forces. The entire country had plunged into grief and mourning. But there were some who were not part of this grief. They were the ones questioning the attack and making accusations. They were searching for their own gains and political opportunity in that time of grief.” (Express photo by Aditi Raja)
The Centre observes October 31 across the country as a day to foster and reinforce the government's dedication to preserve and strengthen the unity, integrity and security of the nation by celebrating it as the "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" or "National Unity Day" to commemorate Patel's birth anniversary. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
The Narendra Modi government has been observing Patel's birth anniversary as the "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" since 2014. Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat's Nadiad. As part of Patel's birth anniversary celebrations, various programmes are being organised across the country, recalling his contribution to the unification of India. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
