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In News
- Recently, the Prime Minister of India and several Union Ministers paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 71st death anniversary.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950)
- Birth:
- At Nadiad, Gujarat on 31st October 1875.
- In 2014, the Government decided to celebrate his birthday as National Unity Day to honour his contribution to integrating and unifying India.
- Titles:
- Iron Man of India.
- Patron saint of India’s civil servants for establishing the modern all-India services system.
- Contributions:
- Pre-Independence
- He was a barrister, politician and one of the leading figures of the Congress party during the Indian freedom movement.
- He along with Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari and M.A. Ansari came to be known as the ‘No-changers’, who opposed entry into legislative councils.
- The Gaya session, December 1922, resulted in the defeat of the Swarajists (Pro-changers or who favoured the council-entry move).
- In 1928, he successfully led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance to increased taxes.
- Women of Bardoli bestowed him with the title ‘Sardar’, which means ‘a Chief or a Leader’.
- In March 1931, he presided over the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress. Karachi Session (1931 ) : President
- He also participated in Salt Satyagraha (1930), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India Movement (1942).
- He also played an important role in the Mutiny of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) of February 1946 by counselling the participants.
- Post-Independence :
- During the first three years of Indian independence after 1947, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Minister, Minister of Information and Minister of State.
- He was the Chief Architect of India’s Steel frame, i.e., the civil services in India.
- The National Police Academy is named after him.
- Played a significant role in the integration & political unification of India.
- He was responsible for uniting all 562 princely states of the country to build the Republic of India.
- In September 1948, he led Operation Polo, the name given to the police action for the annexation of the erstwhile state of Hyderabad into the Indian state.
- Pre-Independence
- Death:
- In Bombay on 15th December 1950.
- In 1991, he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.
- Government steps to honour him :
- Statue of Unity:
- It is the tallest statue of the world (182 m) and has been built as a tribute to Sardar Patel.
- It is located at Kevadiya in the Narmada district of Gujarat.
- Statue of Unity:
- Sardar Patel National Unity Award :
- It is the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India.
Source: IE