He further said that the statue is made in India. "It is absolutely wrong to say that this statue is Made in China. Because the design is ours and we are the one who have supervised its creation. To complete the construction from time to time, we found that such a huge foundry is only in China and that's why we built some parts in that country. They were made into pieces and then accumulate here. This was done only due to the need for construction and to meet the deadlines," he told ABP News. He also told that during the project, PM Modi and his team also took regular update from them from time to time.
Who is Ram Vanji Sutar
Ram Vanji Sutar is known for making giant statues. The architect created more than fifty monumental sculptures in the last forty years of his career. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan in 2016 and Padma Shri in 1999 for his contribution in the field of arts.
Born on 19 February 1925, in the village of Gondur, in Dhulia district of Maharashtra, he has completed his studies from JJ School of Orient. Later along with the Archaeological Survey of India, he started his work with Ellora Caves. A few years later, he started a sculpting business of his own. In 1952 he got married to Pramila and like him their only son Anil Sutar (born in 1957) is also a sculptor and who has also played a key role in designing the statue with his dad.
Talking about his future projects, Sutar told ABP News, "In February 2019, I will be 94 years old. I wish to make an idol at the rocket launch site in India. PM Modi wants to send a Gaganyaan into the space next year and he desires that we should create an image depicting the human courage."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 31th October, 2018, dedicated to the nation a 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said it will be a reminder about the courage of a man who thwarted efforts to disintegrate India. Gujarat Governor O P Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and BJP chief Amit Shah were present at the unveiling of the 'Statue of Unity'.
The ceremony coincided with Patel's 143rd birth anniversary.