Sardar Patel: India´s Matchless Hero
Dr. Ravindra Kumar
September 08, 2009
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's compatriots will remember him for long for his multi-dimensional personality and great national works. Sardar Patel was a matchless leader and organizer. Moreover, he was an internationally renowned administrator and statesman, a unique integrator and the maker of United India.
Sardar Patel played a vital and historical role in all the three mass actions-Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930) and Quit India (1942)-launched by Mahatma Gandhi to liberate India from the yoke of British imperialism. His contribution in awakening and connecting the masses to the non-violent national liberation movement of India in the Gandhian era was noteworthy. Furthermore, the flag Satyagraha in Nagpur (1923), the people's struggle against anti-social elements at Borsad (1924) and the peasant's movement at Bardoli (1928), which were successfully carried out under the direct leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel himself, became permanently etched in the pages of Indian history.
Sardar Patel made the commitment to maintain discipline and unity within the organization, with emphasis on working in a democratic manner. This can be observed from an event of 1946 when despite his great respect for C. Rajagopalachari, he did not extend support to his aspiration to elevate to the post of the Chief Minister of Madras because he was not enjoying support of the majority of members of the provincial legislative assembly. In fact, the majority was in favour of T. Prakasam, and Sardar Patel´s influence could change the mind of legislators in favour of Rajagopalachari. But, he even did not think of it and allowed members to decide themselves.
The Sardar accorded unprecedented strength to the administration at a time when most of the English officers after taking voluntary retirement from civil services had left for their native country, England. Soon after the freedom of India, he instituted two all India-level services: the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police service, which saved the country from serious problems whose origin lay in the disastrous consequences of the country's division. Under his own observation and also the ablest officers like V. P. Menon, Sardar Patel made use of the most of the newly selected officer´s abilities during the unification process, and to maintain law and order in every part of the nation. Hence, he ascertained the unity and integrity of India, and enlisted himself as one of the few great administrators and statesmen of the world.
Sardar Patel integrated more than five hundred fifty-odd and scattered princely states into the Union of India within a few weeks, and thus became a matchless hero. There was no other example of such a feat prior to this in the entire history of India. As Dr. Rajendra Prasad said, "The great tasks that Vallabhbhai Patel accomplished have no other example in the history of our nation, not even in the history of other nations of the world."
It was the Sardar, who, besides accomplishing the troublesome task of the unification of the States of Hyderabad and Junagarh into the Indian Union, played a vital role particularly in saving the territory of the State of Jammu and Kashmir from intruders and oppressors by taking a firm and quick action in 1948. In this process, the way he worked with Pandit Nehru and walked with him for the cause of the country was a unique example in the entire history of India; it is exemplary and to be followed by those who talk of nation or express concern over national interest.
Sardar Patel´s achievements are so gigantic and huge that even for a great man it is difficult to accomplish them in one life. But, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was exceptional. His ideas and work for the unity, integrity and prosperity of the nation were, and are, ideal; they will remain so in the future as well. Moreover, these achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel are, in fact, the great legacy he left for generations to come.
He wished people belonging to different religious-communities, classes, castes and sub-castes to work wholeheartedly for the solidarity and prosperity of India. He desired his compatriots that they open the door for equal welfare and progress for all without discrimination and prejudice.
Defending Sardar Patel´s legacy and bringing it into practice in the above perspectives is in itself the best introduction of nationalism. Simultaneously, having the following message of India´s matchless hero, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, nucleus, not falling behind in discharging the duty of strengthening unity and integrity of the nation means to follow his footsteps and pay a true homage to that great-departed soul:
"I make earnest appeal to people to wipe out from their minds and memories of the past-treating it as terrible nightmare and look forward with single minded purpose to make India strong, prosperous and happy. This can only be done by hard work."
Sardar Patel played a vital and historical role in all the three mass actions-Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930) and Quit India (1942)-launched by Mahatma Gandhi to liberate India from the yoke of British imperialism. His contribution in awakening and connecting the masses to the non-violent national liberation movement of India in the Gandhian era was noteworthy. Furthermore, the flag Satyagraha in Nagpur (1923), the people's struggle against anti-social elements at Borsad (1924) and the peasant's movement at Bardoli (1928), which were successfully carried out under the direct leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel himself, became permanently etched in the pages of Indian history.
Sardar Patel made the commitment to maintain discipline and unity within the organization, with emphasis on working in a democratic manner. This can be observed from an event of 1946 when despite his great respect for C. Rajagopalachari, he did not extend support to his aspiration to elevate to the post of the Chief Minister of Madras because he was not enjoying support of the majority of members of the provincial legislative assembly. In fact, the majority was in favour of T. Prakasam, and Sardar Patel´s influence could change the mind of legislators in favour of Rajagopalachari. But, he even did not think of it and allowed members to decide themselves.
The Sardar accorded unprecedented strength to the administration at a time when most of the English officers after taking voluntary retirement from civil services had left for their native country, England. Soon after the freedom of India, he instituted two all India-level services: the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police service, which saved the country from serious problems whose origin lay in the disastrous consequences of the country's division. Under his own observation and also the ablest officers like V. P. Menon, Sardar Patel made use of the most of the newly selected officer´s abilities during the unification process, and to maintain law and order in every part of the nation. Hence, he ascertained the unity and integrity of India, and enlisted himself as one of the few great administrators and statesmen of the world.
Sardar Patel integrated more than five hundred fifty-odd and scattered princely states into the Union of India within a few weeks, and thus became a matchless hero. There was no other example of such a feat prior to this in the entire history of India. As Dr. Rajendra Prasad said, "The great tasks that Vallabhbhai Patel accomplished have no other example in the history of our nation, not even in the history of other nations of the world."
It was the Sardar, who, besides accomplishing the troublesome task of the unification of the States of Hyderabad and Junagarh into the Indian Union, played a vital role particularly in saving the territory of the State of Jammu and Kashmir from intruders and oppressors by taking a firm and quick action in 1948. In this process, the way he worked with Pandit Nehru and walked with him for the cause of the country was a unique example in the entire history of India; it is exemplary and to be followed by those who talk of nation or express concern over national interest.
Sardar Patel´s achievements are so gigantic and huge that even for a great man it is difficult to accomplish them in one life. But, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was exceptional. His ideas and work for the unity, integrity and prosperity of the nation were, and are, ideal; they will remain so in the future as well. Moreover, these achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel are, in fact, the great legacy he left for generations to come.
He wished people belonging to different religious-communities, classes, castes and sub-castes to work wholeheartedly for the solidarity and prosperity of India. He desired his compatriots that they open the door for equal welfare and progress for all without discrimination and prejudice.
Defending Sardar Patel´s legacy and bringing it into practice in the above perspectives is in itself the best introduction of nationalism. Simultaneously, having the following message of India´s matchless hero, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, nucleus, not falling behind in discharging the duty of strengthening unity and integrity of the nation means to follow his footsteps and pay a true homage to that great-departed soul:
"I make earnest appeal to people to wipe out from their minds and memories of the past-treating it as terrible nightmare and look forward with single minded purpose to make India strong, prosperous and happy. This can only be done by hard work."
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