Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 146th birth anniversary and said that India today is fully capable to meet all kinds of challenges, external and internal, due to his inspiration. “Today the nation is paying tribute to Sardar Patel who sacrificed every moment of his life for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’. Sardar Patel ji does not just live in history but also in the hearts of all Indians,” PM Modi said in a video message.
“Our goals can only be met if we stay united. Sardar Patel always wanted India to be strong, inclusive, sensitive, alert, polite and developed. He always gave importance to the nation’s interest,” the Prime Minister, who is in Rome to attend the G20 Summit, added.
October 31 is observed as or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day since 2014 marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is credited with uniting all the 562 princely states of the pre-Independent country to build the Republic of India.
Addressing the nation on the birth anniversary of first deputy Prime Minister and home minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said that on every front, be it land, water, air, space, India’s capabilities and resolve are now unprecedented.
“Sardar Patel always wanted India to be capable, inclusive, sensitive, alert, humble and developed. He always prioritised national interest,” Mr Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Sardar Patel is not just a mere historical figure but a leader who lives in the heart of every countryman and people who are taking his message of unity forward. They are the true symbol of unity. The Rashtriya Ekta Parades across the country and events at the statue of Unity reflect the same spirit, he said.
The prime minister also said that Sabka Prayas (unified effort by all countrymen) is even more relevant in the Amrit Kaal of Independence. “This ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal’ is of unprecedented growth, achieving difficult goals and building the India of Sardar Saheb’s dreams.. ‘Ek Bharat'” which to him meant, “equal opportunities for all including women, Dalits, deprived section of people, tribal and forest dwellers”, he said, “where housing, electricity and water is within the reach of everyone without discrimination”.