Otto von Bismarck earned the moniker 'Iron Chancellor' as he united various small German states into the German empire. Similarly, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key figure in India's fight for independence, is often hailed as the "Iron Man of India."
He was born on this day in 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat, and went on to study law in England before becoming an active participant in Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent civil disobedience campaigns.
On Gandhiji's call, he left his hard-earned job and joined the movement to fight for the exemption of taxes in Kheda at the time of plague and famine in 1918.
As the second world war was coming to an end, it was becoming clear that India's freedom is not very far. It was also apparent that the Congress president, would be invited to form the interim government at the Centre, due to the number of seats in the Central Assembly the Congress had won in 1946 elections.
At that time, the authority to nominate and select the Congress president, who would also become India's inaugural Prime Minister, rested solely with the Provincial Congress Committees. But despite Gandhiji having made his choice known for Jawaharlal Nehru, 12 out of 15 Provincial Congress Committees nominated Sardar Patel, leaving Nehru with no nominations.
However, when Gandhi learned that Jawaharlal Nehru was not willing to accept the second position to Patel, he requested Patel to step aside, leading to a pivotal moment in the history of India.
Nehru went on to become India's first Prime Minister, and Patel became the first Deputy Prime Minister, first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces and Home Minister. Patel is also known as the father of the IAS, IPS and Central Services.
His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet "Iron Man of India." He will always be remembered for his relentless efforts to integrate nearly 562 princely states into the newly independent India, contributing significantly to the unification of the nation after gaining independence from British colonial rule.
Patel used diplomacy and negotiation to persuade the rulers of princely states to join the Indian Union voluntarily by emphasizing the benefits of a unified India, including economic, political, and security advantages. He asked the princely states to sign the "Instrument of Accession."
His persuasive skills were instrumental in convincing many princely rulers to join India, but Hyderabad and Junagadh were exceptions, where the rulers were reluctant to accede to India. Patel managed to bring them into the Indian Union through a combination of diplomatic pressure and, in the case of Hyderabad, an army action.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passed away on December 15, 1950. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991. The Statue of Unity, standing at a majestic 182 meters, was constructed in his memory near Kevadia, Gujarat, and is the tallest statue in the world.
Each year on October 31st, National Unity Day is observed nationwide to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in our efforts to build a better country.
Sardar Patel's legacy continues to shape India's political landscape and he remains a source of inspiration. He will always be remembered as a unifier, a visionary leader, and a symbol of strength and determination.
"If your goodness is impediment in your way, let your eyes be red with anger, and try to fight the injustice with a firm hand."- Sardar Patel
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--Kaushal Kishore
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