- Tuesday, April 16, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (31) paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first home minister and deputy prime minister, on his 146th birth anniversary. For the late leader, ‘Ek Bharat’ (One India) meant equal opportunities for all, including women, Dalits, the deprived sections of people, tribal and forest dwellers, he said.
Virtually addressing the nation, Modi, who is currently touring Europe for G20 and COP26 summits, said, “’Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort) is even more relevant in the Amrit Kaal of Independence. This ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal’ (the golden era of independence) is of unprecedented growth, achieving difficult goals and building the India of Sardar Saheb’s dreams.
“‘Ek Bharat’ is a Bharat that gives equal opportunities to women, Dalits, deprived, tribal and forest dwellers. Where housing, electricity and water is within the reach of everyone without discrimination. The Country is doing the same with ‘Sabka Prayas’.”
Today, India pays homage to Sardar Patel, whose life was devoted to furthering national progress, unity and integration. pic.twitter.com/CYOjBisBgN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2021
The birthday of Sardar Patel is observed as National Unity Day.
A tribute to the great Sardar Patel. https://t.co/P2eUmvo61n
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 31, 2021
Modi, who took an initiative to set up a 182-metre tall iron statue of Sardar Patel in his home state Gujarat, said the latter is not just a historical figure but lives in the heart of every Indian and those who take his message of unity forward truly represent an unfractured feeling of unity.
“Rashtriya Ekta (national unity) parades in every nook and corner of the country and events at the statue of Unity are reflecting the same spirit,” Modi said.
Referring to the strengthening of India’s democratic traditions by the emotion of ‘One India’, Modi called for a collective effort from every citizen in achieving the goals of the country. He emphasised that Sardar Patel wanted a strong, inclusive, sensitive and alert India, an India that has humility as well as development.
“Inspired by Sardar Patel, India is becoming fully capable of meeting external and internal challenges,” he said.
Modi also spoke on the achievements of his government in the last seven years, saying the country got rid of unnecessary old laws in this time, strengthened the ideals of unity and emphasis on connectivity and infrastructure has reduced geographical and cultural distances.
Indian president Ram Nath Kovind, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, the upper body of the Indian parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge, also paid tributes to Patel who had passed away in December 1950, just over three years after India achieved independence in 1947.
“Paid tributes to Sardar Patel at the Parliament House on his jayanti (birth anniversary). His contribution in India’s freedom struggle and ensuring the unity and integrity of our country will always be remembered,” Singh tweeted. He also called Patel a hero who united the country and someone who will be remembered for his contributions in liberating India.
Indian home minister Amit Shah also paid floral tributes to his predecessor, who was called the ‘Iron Man of India’ for his role in unifying India after independence, before presiding over a National Unity Day programme in Kevadia in the western Indian state of Gujarat. He paid his tributes to the statue of Sardar Patel, which is the tallest in the world and is called the Statue of Unity.
On the occasion, Shah also slammed the Indian National Congress, to which Patel belonged, saying attempts were made post Independence to forget Patel and his contributions but the situation has changed and Patel’s statue is a testimony of the changed realities.
“Unfortunate attempts were made to forget Sardar Patel. After independence, his contributions were never given due respect. He was neither given Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian award) nor proper respect. The situation has changed. He was given Bharat Ratna and this world’s tallest statue is before us to see,” Shah said at the programme.
“When there was a change in the country in 2014, the government was formed under the leadership of Modi ji, then it was decided to celebrate October 31 as National Unity Day. This was done so that the struggle that Sardar Patel fought for independence for years continues to inspire the younger generation of the country,” the Indian home minister added.
