NATIONAL UNITY DAY (RASHTRIYA EKTA DIWAS) - October 31

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

NATIONAL UNITY DAY (RASHTRIYA EKTA DIWAS)

October 31, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (1875-1950), known as the Iron Man of India and Architect of Modern India is celebrated as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas). Patel was born on 31^st October 1875 in Nadiad (in the then Bombay Presidency of British India), now in Gujarat.

 

Post-independence, while most of the 562 princely states were persuaded to join the Indian Union, some like Jodhpur, Bhopal Hyderabad, Junagadh, Travancore, and Kashmir remained a hard nut to crack and refused to do so. Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs would not just handle these ticklish issues with deftness and dexterity but would go on to truly become the ‘Architect of Modern India.’ From invoking the patriotism of the princes to reminding them of the possibility of anarchy in the event of their refusal to join, Patel kept trying to exert pressure and convince them to join the Union of India. He also introduced the concept of ‘Privy Purse’ – a payment to be made to the royal families for the merger of the princely states with India. It is a different matter that the Privy Purse was subsequently abolished by the Government of India in the 1970s.

 

If today India has emerged as one of the largest countries of the world in terms of geographical area, a strong Union of states, a citadel of democracy, and a super-economy in the offing, it was significantly due to the political integration of all the 562 princely states with the Indian Union brought about by the Iron Man of India which could be termed as a ‘non-violent silent revolution.’

 

India has now come a long way since its independence more than seven decades ago in all fields. Back then, the hard-fought independence came with besetting problems - partition, communal riots, and a refugee crisis. By 15 August 1947, the process of integration of almost all the princely states was complete except for some intransigent and recalcitrant holdouts (names already mentioned above) that refused to fall in line. Patel acted swiftly, effectively, and efficiently and finally prevented the ‘balkanization’ of the country and brought about a ‘unified India’ sans civil unrest, bloodshed, and/or rebellion. There were speculations then brewing in some quarters that predicted the disintegration of the newborn India - sooner than later. Patel burst the myth bubble and belied it by creating a Modern India unifying and integrating all its parts and the erstwhile kingdoms and princely states into the Union of India.

 

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister were two towering figures of India’s anti-colonial freedom movement. Both were Mahatma Gandhi’s closest associates and wielded enormous influence within the Congress Party and with Bapuji. But their worldviews differed widely, which reflected in their contrasting attempts to shape the trajectory of the freedom movement, the Indian constitution, issues related to the integration of the reluctant princely states, and matters relating to combating communal violence. Both had a divergence of opinion on economic and foreign policies. The intensity of Nehru and Patel’s conflicting opinions were often matters of public speculation and embarrassment for the government. To undo the fallout of an apparent divide within the cabinet, both often had to resort to public airing of statements to the effect that they had abiding love and respect for each other. This was called by Indian historians as proof of some ‘fundamental unity’ between the two.

 

It is well known that Patel had differences with Nehru. But he never allowed it to surface to affect the nation-building. Patel was a major driving force behind India's liberal industrial policy resolution of 1948.

 

A 182 M tallest 'Statue of Unity' for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Narmada Valley Kevadiya Colony in the Narmada district of Gujarat was opened in his honour and service to the nation on 31.10.2018 (on his 143^rd birth anniversary) with the function presided over by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the best and befitting tribute to him.

 A grateful India salutes the ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Architect of Modern India’ on his birth anniversary.

  

(R.SAMPATH)

31.10.2020