Sardar Patel Jayanti

Early Life: • Full name: Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel • Born: 31 October 1875, Nadiad, Kaira (Kheda) district, Bombay Presidency (present-day Gujarat) • Died: 15 December 1950, Bombay (Mumbai) • Childhood: Born in a farming family; showed determination and perseverance from early age • Education: Studied law in England (Lincoln's Inn, London); became a barrister • Returned to India and became a prominent lawyer in Ahmedabad

Entry into Politics: • Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's call for non-cooperation with the British • Left his lucrative legal career to join the Indian independence movement • Led the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) — supported farmers in Kheda district, Gujarat who were suffering due to crop failure and demanded remission of revenue • Led the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) — successfully led farmers against excessive land revenue enhancement; won concessions from the British government; given the title 'Sardar' (meaning 'Chief' or 'Leader') by the women of Bardoli

Role in Indian National Congress: • Served as President of the Indian National Congress (1931) • Close associate of Mahatma Gandhi; organised the Congress at the grass-roots level • Played a key role in organising the Quit India Movement (1942) • Was a candidate for INC President in 1946 — withdrew in favour of Jawaharlal Nehru at Gandhi's request

Patel's Greatest Achievement — Integration of Princely States:

Context: • When India became independent on 15 August 1947, it had 562 princely states that were technically independent (not directly under British India) • These states had signed 'Paramountcy' agreements with the British Crown — which lapsed at independence • Their future was uncertain — some rulers considered staying independent or joining Pakistan

Patel's Mission: • As India's first Home Minister (and Deputy PM), Patel was tasked with integrating these princely states into the Indian Union • He worked with V.P. Menon (his civil service advisor) to convince, persuade, and sometimes pressure princely rulers to sign the Instrument of Accession

How Patel Achieved Integration:

1. Diplomacy and persuasion — most rulers were shown that joining India was in their and their people's best interests
2. Political pressure — for reluctant rulers, political and public pressure was applied
3. Military action — for Hyderabad (Operation Polo, 1948), which refused to accede, police action was taken
4. Junagadh — where the Nawab acceded to Pakistan despite a Hindu-majority population; Patel organised a plebiscite and the region voted to join India
5. Jammu and Kashmir — acceded to India in October 1947 after Pakistani-backed tribal invasion; remains a disputed territory with Pakistan

Result: • 562 princely states were integrated into India • This was one of the most complex political achievements in world history — achieved peacefully in most cases within a very short time • Patel is rightly called the 'Iron Man of India' and 'Unifier of India' for this achievement

Bismarck of India: • Patel is often compared to Otto von Bismarck, who unified the German states in the 19th century • Hence, Patel is also called the 'Bismarck of India'

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day): • Date: 31 October (Sardar Patel's birth anniversary) • Established: 2014, by the Government of India under PM Narendra Modi • Purpose: To honour Sardar Patel's contribution to India's unity and integrity, and to reaffirm India's commitment to national unity

How is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Observed? • Run for Unity (Ekta Daud) — nationwide walkathon/run programmes in schools, colleges, and government offices • Pledge for Unity — a unity pledge is taken by citizens across India • Ekta Diwas Parade — National Parade in New Delhi • Floral tributes at Patel's memorials — especially at the Statue of Unity • Cultural programmes celebrating India's diversity within unity

Significance: • The day reminds Indians of the supreme importance of national unity and integrity • It highlights Patel's role in creating a united India from hundreds of fragmented princely states • 31 October was also chosen for the formation of Ladakh UT in 2019 — another act of national reorganisation

Other Events on 31 October: • 31 October is also the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi (assassinated on 31 October 1984)

Statue of Unity: • Location: Kevadia, Narmada district, Gujarat (near Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river) • Height: 182 metres (597 feet) — world's tallest statue • Inaugurated: 31 October 2018, by PM Narendra Modi (on Patel's 143rd birth anniversary) • Sculptor: Ram V. Sutar • Cost: Approximately ₹2,989 crore

Design and Construction: • The statue depicts Sardar Patel in a walking pose, symbolising his forward march towards national unity • Made of steel and concrete covered with bronze cladding • Contains a memorial, museum, and viewing gallery inside • The statue faces the Sardar Sarovar Dam — a project Patel was associated with planning

Comparison with Other Tall Statues: • Spring Temple Buddha, China: 128 m (previously the world's tallest) • Statue of Liberty, USA: 93 m (pedestal included) • Statue of Unity is taller than both

Statue of Unity as a Tourist Attraction: • One of India's major tourist destinations since opening • The area around Kevadia has been developed as 'Ekta Nagar' with hotels, gardens, and a tent city

Sardar Patel's Other Legacy: • First Deputy Prime Minister of India (1947–1950) • First Home Minister of India (1947–1950) • Oversaw the integration of princely states • Organised the modern Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) — called the 'steel frame' of India • 'Sardar' title was given by the women of Bardoli after the successful 1928 satyagraha