📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Hiroshi Yoshida
Local
Prisoner Crafts 9‑Foot Sardar Patel Statue in Ajmer Jail on National Unity Day
✍️ Amar Ujala · Rajasthan
🗓 31 Oct 2026, 05:02 PM
👁 17
In Ajmer’s high‑security prison, inmate Areef sculpted a nine‑foot replica of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on National Unity Day, coinciding with Patel’s 151st birth anniversary.
Ajmer’s high‑security central jail marked National Unity Day on October 1 by commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In a unique display of patriotism, an inmate identified as Areef spent weeks carving a nine‑foot‑tall replica of the Iron‑Man of India from stone inside the facility.
The statue, unveiled before the prison’s inmates and staff, was part of a broader programme that included an oath‑taking ceremony where prisoners pledged allegiance to the idea of national unity. Officials highlighted the activity as an effort to foster constructive engagement and discipline among the incarcerated population.
Alongside the cultural tribute, the event featured a pledge for drug‑free living, with participants affirming their resolve to stay away from narcotics. Prison authorities said the initiative aims to combine civic education with rehabilitation, hoping such activities will reinforce a sense of responsibility and national pride among inmates.
The replica of Patel, known for integrating princely states into independent India, was praised for its craftsmanship despite the limited resources available in the jail workshop. Authorities plan to keep the statue on display within the prison as a reminder of unity and reform.
The ceremony concluded with a brief address from the jail superintendent, who urged inmates to channel the spirit of Patel’s vision into personal transformation and community service after release.
The statue, unveiled before the prison’s inmates and staff, was part of a broader programme that included an oath‑taking ceremony where prisoners pledged allegiance to the idea of national unity. Officials highlighted the activity as an effort to foster constructive engagement and discipline among the incarcerated population.
Alongside the cultural tribute, the event featured a pledge for drug‑free living, with participants affirming their resolve to stay away from narcotics. Prison authorities said the initiative aims to combine civic education with rehabilitation, hoping such activities will reinforce a sense of responsibility and national pride among inmates.
The replica of Patel, known for integrating princely states into independent India, was praised for its craftsmanship despite the limited resources available in the jail workshop. Authorities plan to keep the statue on display within the prison as a reminder of unity and reform.
The ceremony concluded with a brief address from the jail superintendent, who urged inmates to channel the spirit of Patel’s vision into personal transformation and community service after release.