October 31 is celebrated as the National Unity Day. It is the day that honors the vision, leadership and indomitable will of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as it is his birth anniversary. However, on top of the national celebration, there is something intensely personal about this day for Gujarat. It is because it is this land that gave birth to the Iron Man of India and continues to carry forward his spirit of Ekta (unity) through people, progress, and entrepreneurship.
The story of Gujarat’s growth, from being a region of villages to one of the most dynamic business hubs in India, is rooted in Patel’s belief. He guided the people with his philosophy that real progress begins with unity which can not just be political, but economic and social. And nowhere is that vision more alive than in Kevadia, the city of the legendary Statue of Unity. It’s the monument that has evolved from a symbol of national pride into a thriving ecosystem of tourism, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Sardar Patel’s Legacy: Unity Beyond Politics
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was not only the architect of political integration of India. He was also the architect of the economic thinking that incorporated self-reliance and the growth of the grassroots. Patel had been an advocate of empowering local businesses, farmers, and cooperatives long before Make in India was a national campaign.
His vision is what led to the Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul) model, which was a revolutionary model of a cooperative which transformed farmers to entrepreneurs. The same culture of cooperation is what the economy of Gujarat is built on today. And it is inspiring the generations of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
For Sardar Patel, unity was not a political necessity, but a business principle. He realized that togetherness, be it among farmers or industry would change communities. That philosophy still defines the entrepreneurial DNA of Gujarat. It is because Gujarat’s a state where people don’t just dream of running a business; they build ecosystems around it.
The Statue of Unity
When the Statue of Unity was inaugurated on October 31, 2018, it wasn’t just a grand tribute. It was a symbol of India’s capability to dream big and deliver bigger. Standing 182 meters tall, overlooking the Narmada River, it is the world’s tallest statue. But its true greatness lies not in its height rather in its human story.
The construction of this statue provided employment to a total of more than 3,000 workers and 250 engineers. However, the local impact is what makes this statue so special. The majority of the labour force (laborers to artisans) was recruited locally from the tribal villages. The government ensured that people living in Kevadia and nearby areas became key participants in the project, not just spectators.
From stone carving to landscaping, villagers were trained in new skills, creating a long-term employment ecosystem. Women were working in hospitality units and handicraft units whereas young locals were working in tourism and transport services. The creation in the end was not a mere monument but an illustration of a community-based development.
The Makeover of Kevadia from Rural Hamlet to Economic Hub
Kevadia used to be a peaceful tribal area with minimal economic life before the Statue of Unity. It is currently a successful tourist attraction receiving a population of more than 10 million visitors every year. The surrounding development such as eco-tourism parks, homestays, etc has led to a new entrepreneurship in rural Gujarat.
Small businesses are being operated by local families who previously relied on farming, such as food stalls, souvenir shops, electric rickshaw services, etc. The local entrepreneurship has been given a boost by the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA) by training, issuing micro-loans and business opportunities related to tourism.
A very notable example is the Ekta Mall, a market place close to the statue that only sells Made-in-India handicrafts. The artists of the diverse parts of the country and Gujarat tribes sell their crafts here and convert their traditional crafts into sustainable means of livelihood. It is not only a shopping place but an inclusive entrepreneurship live case study.
The growth of the area also supported the development of young businesses that serve the needs of the tourism industry. It included eco-lodges and cultural performances as well as travel startups that package experiences around the area. These are the new generation entrepreneurs who represent the same solidarity and willpower that Patel used to preach like when he changed ideas into opportunities and challenges into change.
Unity and Entrepreneurship: The Gujarati Way
Gujarat is the place of business stories. Stories from small-town shop owners to trending entrepreneurs building global startups. The Patel-inspired ideology of self-made growth is what unites all them though.
The growth of entrepreneurship in Gujarat isn’t accidental, it’s a mindset shaped by community, trust, and collaboration. Entrepreneurs here often start small, learn by doing, and grow through partnerships rather than competition. This philosophy mirrors Patel’s call for unity.
For every young Gujarati wondering how to start a business, the region around the Statue of Unity offers living lessons. You’ll find self-made business ideas in every corner. From locals who turned a tea stall into a café to youth who set up bike rental services for tourists. Their journey of a startup may not make national headlines, but it’s these grassroots ventures that represent real entrepreneurship stories in India.
Economic Ripples From Kevadia to the Nation
The economic impact of the Statue of Unity is far-reaching since the attraction has been successful as a tourism site. It has emerged as one of the major economic forces in central Gujarat, in a few years. The inflow of visitors is benefiting hotels, transport services, local farms and even digital startups.
In addition, the Ekta Nagar master plan of the government combines sustainability. And business solar power projects, waste management startups and green mobility have sprung up. So, young people aspiring to engage in an eco-friendly venture can learn through these plans.
The project has blended infrastructure with inclusivity, thus establishing a standard on how the public monuments can be turned into entrepreneurial ecosystems. It is a roadmap on how to manage a business that will be of benefit to all persons including the investors and the village.
Conclusion
On National Unity Day, as India celebrates the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gujarat stands as a living example of how unity can fuel entrepreneurship and progress. The Statue of Unity is not a simple historical artifact, it is a reminder of the fact that when people unite, incredible things can be accomplished.
The Ekta spirit is still driving innovation, inclusion and inspiration through the local entrepreneurs of Kevadia, to international Gujarati in the startups of the world. In Gujarat, it is not just a matter of profit, but a matter of purpose as well to be an entrepreneur.
As Patel once said, “Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonized and united properly.” That unity can now be seen not only in our monuments, but in the millions of small enterprises and start ups which continue to keep Gujarat, and India, on the move.
For more such stories uniting the entrepreneurial spirit of Gujarat, keep reading Gujpreneur!
