SARDAR PATEL : PATRON SAINT OF INDIA'S CIVIL SERVANTS & UNIFIER OF INDIA

Touted as a strong political lieutenant of Mahatma Gandhi Ji , Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel Ji had passed rigorous tests to prove his mettle. Before getting his name slotted in the good books of Gandhiji. From a Karamsad ploughboy to a Barrister from Middle Temple, London, to the first Deputy Prime Minister of India, he would have preferred to identify himself as only a “lieutenant” of Mahatma Ji. He had successfully led movements in Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli, where he mobilized peasants against British rule to register non-violent protests of civil disobedience.

The success of Bardoli Satyagrah grabbed the attention of citizens of Bharat and Sardar Patel became a hero in the hearts of many. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat on 31 October, 1875, Patel was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress who played a leading role in the country’s struggle for Independence. He acted as Home Minister during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He also served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.

Patel was a prolific lawyer. He subsequently organized peasants from Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against the British Raj. Under his Chairmanship, “Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy” resolution was passed by the Congress in 1931. He was intensely loyal to Gandhi and organized relief efforts for refugees fleeing to Punjab and Delhi from Pakistan and worked to restore peace. He led the task of forging a united India, successfully integrating into the newly independent nation those British colonial provinces that had been ‘allocated’ to India.

Needless to mention that it was Patel who persuaded almost every and everybody at helm of princely state to accede to India. His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet “IRON MAN OF INDIA ".

Even before the British left, Patel thought it necessary in 1946 to establish the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and arranged for the Constitutional safeguards for the civil servants both the ICS, who were to be with Indian Government Service, and the new IAS entrants as well. As the Home Minister, he appropriately opined that the officers who were in the services must be provided Constitutional guarantees and safeguards. He never wanted a spineless bureaucracy. In the wider interest of the nation, the bureaucracy must be fearless and committed to the country's interests. He never expected “Yes, Minister” tendency. That is why he is remembered as the “Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants” for having established the modern all-India services system.

Following is the list of five important places connected with Sardar Patel. We can visit these places to pay our respects to this Tall Man of India.

(1) The Statue of Unity (SOU): THE TALLEST MONUMENT IN THE WORLD:

This statue is a tribute paid by the Government of India to Patel Ji on behalf of millions of Indians and was dedicated to him on 31 October, 2018. The statue is approximately 182 m (597 ft) in height.Considered as the tallest monument in the world, it is not only a tourist place for global travellers but also symbolizes victory of unity and democracy over imperial powers.

The campus of Statue of Unity covers an extensive scenic location facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It stands on the isle of Sadhu-Bet in River Narmada, at Ekta Nagar(Narmada Dt), Gujarat, with the majestic Vindhyachal and Satpuda Mountain Ranges in the backdrop. Visitors can explore the nearby attractions like the Cactus Garden, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Jungle Safari, Khalvani & Zarvani eco-tourism, etc.

(2)Bardoli: Farmers’ Agitation Against British Government

Bardoli is a historical town, which came to the limelight in 1899 when the British government began to set up railway tracks from Surat to Bhusawal as a relief project during the great Indian famine.

Bardoli town is associated with an ancient city named Kedareshwar; Mindhola River was once known as Mandakini during ancient times. The city was destroyed by a flood in the Mandakini River. Following this flood, villagers were forced to relocate to a hilly region near Baladevi Mandir. Legend has it that Baladevi became Bardoli with the passage of time. Surat is the nearest destination for tourists, who can explore historical monument

3) NADIAD: PATEL'S BIRTH PLACE. Apart from being the birthplace of Sardar Patel, Nadiad is a land of scholars who enriched Gujarati literature with their brilliant literary creations. The city was the cultural and literary capital of Gujarat during the 19th century as scholars were actively involved in gaining knowledge and understanding of Indian and British culture

(4)KARAMSAD: FAMILY HOME:

Karamsad has come to the fore as Patel received his early education here. The town has paid a fitting tribute to our Iron Man by building the Sardar Patel Memorial. Today, Karamsad is the hometown of a large & growing number of NRIs, who generously contribute to the development of the Charotar region, and are also instrumental in creating and funding immense number of education and cultural activities.

(5)Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial @Shahibaug, was established in 1980 in Ahmedabad. The urban authorities converted Moti Shahi Mahal, built by Shahejahan between 1618 and 1622, into a museum and exhibition centre dedicated to Sardar Patel. Rabindranath Tagore had once enjoyed the hospitality of this palace in 1878; Tagore had written his only ghost story ‘The Hungry Stones’ and his first song in this palace.

After suffering a massive heart attack, Sardar Patel died on 15th December, 1950, at Birla House in Mumbai. “Sardar’s body is being consumed by fire, but no fire on earth can consume his fame. We grieve for ourselves, not for him.” The President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad, along with PM Jawaharlal Nehru and elder statesman C Rajgopalachari, “wept unashamedly beside the pyre” as Prasad spoke of the Sardar Patel Ji at Sonapur, Mumbai, on December 15, 1950, when the destiny took Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Ji away from all of them.

Jawaharlal Nehruji, the then Prime Minister of our country, asked Prasad Ji to be in Delhi being the President but Rajendra Babu Ji preferred to put the protocols aside since it was the end of an era.

None can evaluate what the Sardar has done for the country and countrymen. As his devoted daughter Maniben puts it: "His philosophy of life may be summed up in the words: “Why not create history rather than waste time writing it?”

Today being 15th December, Patelji"s Death Anniversary Day, let's take a pledge to rededicate ourselves to unity and integrity of our motherland. Sardar Patel Ji is best remembered as the “Unifier of India”.