Ambassador Speeches

ADDRESS BY AMBASSADOR

Dear Colleagues, Friends, Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is a great honour and privilege for me to join all of you in paying homage and tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 148^th birth anniversary today which is celebrated as the National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Divas every year. Sardar Patel was born on 31^st October, 1875 at Karamsad in the State of Gujarat. We also pay homage to Late Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary today. She was, as you all know, assassinated today in 1984.

A lawyer by profession, Sardar Patel jumped into the freedom struggle of India under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. The key role played by him in the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 elevated him to greater heights and earned him the epithet of ‘Sardar’ – a title which goes with his name even today. For my Kyrgyz friends, ‘Sardar’ means ‘Leader’. Sardar Patel went on to become an important pillar of our freedom movement. He played a major role that led to the emergence of an independent India on 15^th August, 1947.

Sardar Patel was sworn in as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. There were, however, several problems that our leaders encountered which needed to be resolved to complete the process of unification of India. There were 565 Princely States in India then and the rulers of these States were given the choice to either join India or Pakistan. A separate States Ministry was also formed and Sardar Patel assumed the charge of this Ministry. He took upon himself the task of ensuring that these princely States were brought into the Union of India. The rest as we know is history, as one by one the princely states, including those of Hyderabad, Kashmir and Junagarh, were integrated into the Union of India. Sardar Patel played a key role in this unification process. Also known as the ‘Iron Man of India’ for his strong will, courage and conviction, the Government has decided to observe 31^st October as the National Unity Day to pay respects to the man who symbolizes national unity of India.

India is a diverse country but unity runs through this diversity. The Statue of Unity at Kevadia – the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres – is the country’s homage to Sardar Patel – the architect of a united India. It was dedicated to the nation by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today in 2018. I had the privilege of being in Kevadia a week ago. You can see a miniature of this statue here.

While addressing the nation on 15^th August this year from the Red Fort, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has directed us to focus our attention on the ‘Panch Pran’ and take five Pledges for the next 25 years. One of these vows outlined by the Prime Minister is unity and solidarity of the country. If there is love and harmony amongst the people of India, we will have unity and that will be our strength. The idea of ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’ propounded by the Prime Minister has unity as its core theme.

The National Unity Day has acquired greater significance this year since we are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, that is, 75 years of attainment of Independence by India. A week-long celebration has started in India from 25^th October with the involvement of all States and Union Territories and Ministries and Departments of the Government to honour the patriotism of Sardar Patel and to reinforce his teachings and values. We have set-up this exhibition to mark this occasion and to give you a glimpse of his great life. We will be also forming a unity chain with all of you joining hands with us.

Friends,

We are grateful to all of you for finding time out of your busy schedule to join us today in recalling the significant role and contribution of Sardar Patel in the unification of India. Let us work towards dedicating ourselves to remain united and work towards building bonhomie and friendship amongst us which would be a fitting tribute to the Iron Man of India.  

I thank you all.

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