On the 145th anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first seaplane service between the Statue of Unity site at Kevadiya colony to the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

Also Read|PM Modi Paid Tribute To Sardar Patel On Ekta Diwas, Warned Leaders Politicising Sacrifice Of Pulwama Martyrs

The seaplane will be operated by SpiceJet. The one of its kind service will be operated by SpiceJet's seaplane division, SpiceShuttle. This plane is a Twin Otter 300 and registered in the name of SpiceJet Technic. The seaplane covered the distance from Statue of Unity to Sabarmati River in 30 minutes. Tourists can avail of the exciting service at Rs 1500 for one way.


PM Modi also inspected the parade named the Ekta Diwas Parade, by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Gujarat Police. After participating in the parade, PM Modi interacted with Civil Services probationers or Officer Trainees, through video conferencing. They joined him from the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat.

PM Modi gave a message of United India and spoke on the Pulwama attack. These are the key highlights:

  • Attacking the Opposition for criticising the Centre after the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Modi urged that people should not do politics in the interest of the nation. “The country can never forget that some people were not saddened at the sacrifice of the security personnel during the Pulwama attack. At that time, these people were only doing politics... I request them not to do such politics in the interest of the nation,” he said.


  • PM Modi stressed the urgent need to fight global terrorism and said, “Today, all countries of the world need to unite against terrorism. No one can benefit from terrorism and violence. India has always fought against terrorism.”

  • Highlighting the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi said that India is establishing new dimensions of unity today. “Today, Kashmir has moved on a new path of development...Whether it is the restoration of peace in the Northeast, or the steps being taken for development there, today the country is establishing new dimensions of unity,” he said.


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