Our convoy reached SOU Parking ( 4Km from SOU campus.) at 1515. We had to stop and park our cars at this parking due to traffic restrictions. All-India DGP conference was going on at SOU and Sardar Saravor Region. PM Modi and President of India Ram Nath Kovind were attaining that conference.
The second day of the 53rd annual DGP conference
We parked our vehicles in the parking area and rushed to the queue for the bus. It was disappointing for us. We wanted to click a photograph of all of our cars with SOU in the background. That was not possible now. We were not allowed to take our cars anywhere within a radius of 5 Km of SOU. We made our mind and got on the bus.
Bus to SOU campus.
That parking space was just 4 km from SOU. We were about to take a turn inside the SOU campus and the duty officer asked our bus driver to park the bus on the left side of the road. Some of us tried to get out of the bus, we were asked to get onto the bus immediately.
We asked the traffic cop, as per him PM Narendra Modi and President of India Ram Nath Kovind were travelling back. Roads were blocked to give safe passage to these VVIPs. We waited for more than 40-mints in that bus.
At 1615, we got out of that bus and joined the queue to enter SOU campus.
To SOU Campus.
I got the first glimpse of that majestic statue. It was amazing and beautiful. I mean, all of us must have some kind of thoughts for the necessity of this statue. Our Government spent more than 3000cr just on the statue, was it really necessary? According to me, the answer is always "No". However, that's a matter of personal opinions. Whatever my personal opinions are, I was in front of the world's tallest statue. It was impressive.
We got inside the campus. I was not able to remove my eyes from that massive statue. I was observing each and every detail of that statue. We kept walking towards the statue. The entire campus is well-built with plenty of instructions boards and assistants. Unity is the main theme of this entire campus and statue.
Statue of Unity.
Wall of Unity.
To SOU.
We kept walking towards the statue. The campus was full of tourists. However, due to its size, the campus was not looking overcrowded. The entire campus was well-managed and nicely-organized. The SOU staff was wearing the uniform and looked eager to help. We kept moving ahead by clicking lots of photographs.
The left side of SOU.
The Right side of SOU.
Statue of Unity.
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An Extreme Close-up
We got our tickets checked at the last check post and entered in the bridge kind of walkway. This entire area is equipped with wheel-chairs and moving walkways. If you want to bring your aged relative to SOU, it can be easily managed.
Last Checkpost.
Walkway to SOU.
It was already 1730. We were late. We zipped through the Moving walkway and reached the base of the Statue. Most of the Tourist was coming back. Fortunately, after PM and President's departure, delegates of All-India DGP conference were free and they were visiting SOU. I joined one of the DGP group and I got special treatment along with other DGPs.
Walkway to SOU.
Moving Walkway
Base of the SOU.
I got an express(without checking tickets) entry in Museum with other DGPs. The museum is part of the project which also has various other attractions.
Museum
Entrance of the Museum
I have read most of the literature on(& by) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I was very much curious to know how Sardar dealt/convinced with egoistic and proud states to Join Indian Union. The museum talks about everything about Sardar's life. The museum is well maintained and well organised. However, I couldn't say that about the contents of the museum. There is no continuity in the content of the museum. For, Example, one AV talks about how Sardar dealt with Hyderabad state(1948) and the very next AV talks about Sardar's Bardoli Satyagraha(1928). Both of these events took place during the different timeline. However, I noticed people were not that interested in the contents of the museum. Most of them were interested in a selfie with a big statue of Sardar's Face.
The Museum.
Sardar's face
Keeping the content aside, state of the art technology is used for this museum. An 18-feet bronze statue welcomes you in the museum which is equipped with Video-walls, audio-video kiosk, a mini- theatre, a library and a replica of Sardar's office desk.
Sardar's struggle against British rule, the division of India, the merger of native states, local tribal life and culture, Sardar Sarovar Dam etc. are presented at the museum through the medium of photographs and AVs. IMO, this is a perfect place to have education tours for schools and colleges.
An 18-feet bronze statue.
Video-wall.
AV kiosk.
Mini Theatre. ![Vitara Brezzas drive to the Statue of Unity, Gujarat-32.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/travelogues/1832648d1688270724t-vitara-brezzas-drive-statue-unity-gujarat-32.jpg)