The Vallabhbhai Patel and Vithalbhai Patel Memorial is spread across seven acres of land donated by the people of Karamsad, adjoining the Shri Krishna Hospital, Karamsad. As one enters the grounds and walks down a palm-lined paved walkway, surrounded by a lush green garden, towards the octagonal courtyard and the fountain, the magnificent Memorial building comes into view. The lush green garden with a peripheral walking track is popular with the locals as well as visitors. Other amenities include a children playground, a refreshment parlour and a souvenir shop.
The construction of the Memorial was made possible by a grant of Rs. 2.5 crores from both The Government of Gujarat (1991) and Government of India (997). Late Sh. Suryakant Patel, Architect based out of Vadodara designed the Memorial. Late Shri Chimanbhai B. Patel of Bhaikaka Foundation and a `Trustee, volunteered to oversee the construction from ground-up to completion and maintained the cost within the meagre budget. The landscaping, the vast green lawns, flower beds and tree planting, were conceptualized and developed by Shri Sarvadaman and Shrimati Meena Patel of Meena Associates, Anand. Shri Himatbhai Patel was awarded the civil contract and Dr. S.N. Patel served as the Structural Consultant. The Memorial was inaugurated on April 11, 2000 by The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
At the entrance of the octagonal shaped Memorial building are the busts of Veer Vithalbhai Patel and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In the centre of the Memorial building is the huge 500 seat air-conditioned amphitheatre like auditorium popular for cultural, educational and certain permitted events. The Trust periodically organises lectures and functions focused on unity and leadership. The corridor, surrounding the central hall, has a photo gallery including paintings, banners and items depicting events from the lives of Veer Vithalbhai Patel and Sardar Patel.
A new walk-in exhibition is being setup in the basement that would enable visitors to gain insights into the persona of Sardar and his journey from a lawyer to the put the jigsaw puzzle together to form a united India. The exhibition with its multi-media content – scenography, audio-visual, lighting and effects – will transport the visitors through a historical time and space to engage individually with the story of Sardar, through headphones in three languages. The museum is conceptualised and designed by Satwalekar Design Studio, Mumbai, historical data provided by Shrimati Rani Shankardas, Historian, New Delhi and script is written by Shri Urvish Kothari, Journalist, Ahmedabad. The museum is scheduled for completion by end of 2022.
