Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Why in the news?

Recently, Prime Minister paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150^th  birth anniversary. Since 2014, the day is observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). 

Brief about the Life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Birth: Born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat. 
  • His father Jhaberbhai, served in Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi's army and participated in Revolt of 1857.
• Career: Passed his matriculation in 1897 and then pursued law in England. After completing law in 1913, he returned to India and established his practice at Ahmedabad.
• Key Positions Held
  • Elected to Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation as the Sanitation Commissioner in 1917. 
  • Nominated and elected as the President of newly formed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee in 1920. 
  • Elected President of the Ahmedabad Municipal Board in 1924. 
  • Elected as President of the Karachi session of the Congress in 1931 where resolutions regarding Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy were passed. 
  • Elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bombay on Congress Party ticket. 
  • Served as Chairman of the Provincial Constitution Committee to discuss model Provincial Constitution, determining the system and form of provincial government. 
  • Served as the Member of Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas. 
  • Served as Home and Information and Broadcasting Minister in Interim Government. 
  • Served as the first Home and Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India. 
• Honours: He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991.
  • "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" (EBSB) initiative was announced on 31 October 2015 during Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 140^th birth anniversary, embodies his vision of a united India.

• Statue of Unity, was inaugurated in 2018 in Kevadia, Gujarat as an ode to Sardar Patel. 

Key Contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Sardar Patel's political journey began with his association with Mahatma Gandhi during the Kheda satyagraha.
  • He led the peasants in refusing to pay taxes due to famine-induced hardships, marking his first major victory against colonial authorities. 

• Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-20): Sardar Patel was given the task of leading the movement in Gujarat. 

• He, along with Shankarlal Banker, Umar Sobani, Sarojini Devi, and Indulal Yajnik, popularised the movement in Gujarat by founding the Satyagraha Sabha.

• Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): He led the landowners of Bardoli in their resistance against increased taxes.
  • His role elevated him to the pinnacle of national glory and his efficient leadership earned him the title sardar ("leader").
• Builder and Consolidator of Modern India: After Independence, he was tasked with unifying over 560 princely states, covering nearly 40% of India's territory and population, into the Union of India. 
  • Under the Indian Independence Act, rulers of the Princely States were given the option to decide whether they wanted to accede to India or Pakistan or neither. 
  • Sardar Patel employed a combination of diplomatic negotiations, persuasion, and, where necessary, firm administrative measures to prevent balkanisation.
  • It earned him the reputation of 'Iron Man' because of the manner in which he brought about and maintained internal stability. 

• Creation of All India Services: He envisioned these services as 'Steel frame of India' considering officers in administration as service partners working with integrity and honesty. 
• Cooperative Movement: He led Gujarat's cooperative movements and was instrumental in formation of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union. 

Key Values associated with Sardar Patel

• Co-existence: He favoured existence of big industries with village and cottage industries for rural and agricultural development ensuring largescale employment. 
• Mediation: He insisted on adopting the policy of mediation to solve the problem prevailing between industry and labour.
• Democracy: He supported equality, liberty and justice and fully supported representative democratic institutions with autonomous existence to function effectively. 
• Firmness in Administration: To prevent misuse of power by the authority and bureaucracy, promoting the doctrine of intellectual integrity of civil servant. 
• Decentralisation of Power: He reinforced the idea of Panchayati Raj system and supported establishment of gram panchayats based on selfless service, morality and dedication ensuring quick justice at the grass roots level. E.g., 73^rd and 74^th Amendment Act. 
• Holistic Education: He held that education should be fair, right and in the medium of our own language. 

Conclusion

Sardar Patel passed away on 15^th December 1950, leaving behind an indelible legacy as the 'Consolidator of India'. 150^th Birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is a reminder to his unwavering commitment to national integrity, good governance and public service.