Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel 71st Death Anniversary

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.
• 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.

• 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