Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of his 141st birth anniversary in New Delhi on October 31, 2016.
About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an Indian barrister and statesman, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
- He was a social leader who played a leading role in the country’s struggle for independence and guided its integration into a united, independent nation. In India and elsewhere, he was often addressed as Sardar, which means Chief in Hindi, Urdu and Persian.
- He was raised in the countryside of Gujarat. Patel was employed in successful practice as a lawyer. He subsequently organised peasants from Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against oppressive policies imposed by the British Raj; in this role, he became one of the most influential leaders in Gujarat.
- He rose to the leadership of the Indian National Congress, in which capacity he would organise the party for the elections held in 1934 and 1937, as well as continue to promote the Quit India Movement.
- As the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel organised relief for refugees fleeing from Punjab and Delhi and led efforts to restore peace across the nation.
- Patel took charge of the task to forge a united India by integrating into the newly independent nation those British colonial provinces “allocated” to India. Besides those provinces under direct British rule, approximately 565 self-governing princely states had been released from British suzerainty by the Indian Independence Act 1947.
- Through both frank diplomacy as well an option to deploy military force, Patel would persuade almost every princely state to accede to India. Patel’s commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet“Iron Man of India”.
- He is also affectionately remembered as the“Patron saint of India’s civil servants” for having established the modern all-India services He is also called the Unifier of India.
- PM Modi also offered floral tributes at Sardar Patel’s statue at Patel Chowk in Delhi’s Parliament Street.
- PM Modi had highlighted the contribution of Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, in uniting the country during his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme.
- Modi also pointed out that Vallabhbhai Patel contributed significantly in strengthening the cooperative movement in the country, adding that the country’s first home minister dedicated himself to the welfare of farmers.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to be observed on 31st October with “Integration of India” theme
The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was bserved on 31stOctober, 2016 with ‘Integration of India’ as the theme. On this occasion various activities are organised across ministries/departments all over the country.
The Government had decided to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ (National Unity Day) on 31st October every year.
- This occasion provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity and security of our country.
- On the occasion, floral tributes will be paid to Sardar Patel across the country. It will be followed by ‘Run for Unity’ involving people from all sections of society to be organised from the National Stadium to the C-hexagon of India Gate.
- A Run for Unity will also be organised at the State/District Headquarters involving people from all sections of society, so that a message of national unity permeates to every part of the nation and the society.
- All the Government Offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other Public Institutions will arrange a pledge taking ceremony to observe the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. A March Past will also be organised in the evening by the police and other agencies.
Vigilance Awareness week commences from October 31 2016
Vigilance Awareness week observed every year from October 31 to November 5 to promote probity in public life and to achieve a corruption free society
- 2016 Theme : “Public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating Corruption”
- The Commission has envisaged a concept of Integrity Pledge, for enlisting support and commitment of the citizens and corporates/entities/firms etc to prevent and combat corruption.
PM Modi flags off ‘Run for Unity’ on birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel
On the occasion of 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Run for Unity’ campaign in New Delhi.
- The marathon began from Vijay Chowk to India Gate. Modi urged people to recall the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and credited him for uniting India under one flag.
- Prime Minister further added that the poison of casteism and communalism could only be combated through the vision of unity, as propagated by Sardar Patel.
- Prime Minister announced that his government would launch a policy of ‘Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat’ to consolidate the unity of the nation.
- He also inaugurated a Digital Exhibition – “Uniting India : Sardar Patel” in New Delhi. It was organized by the Ministry of Culture.
