As India celebrates India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 146th birth anniversary on October 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the late leader and said that the “country can move ahead only if we stay united”.
Sardar Patel has inspired many and India is fully capable of overcoming all kinds of challenges, external and internal, he stated.
In a video message addressing the nation, PM Modi said, “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.”
It is the responsibility of every Indian to nurture democracy, he said. “Strong foundation of democracy that developed in the society and traditions of India, prospered the sense of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. But we must also remember that all the passengers sitting in a boat have to take care of the boat. We can go ahead only if we stay united,” added Modi.
“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,” he added.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is presently in Rome to attend the G20 Summit.
Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary is also observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day since 2014. The late freedom fighter is credited with uniting all the 562 princely states of the pre-Independent nation to create the Republic of India.
“India is not just a geographical unit but a nation full of the parameters of ideals, resolutions, civilisation and culture. The land, where 135 crores Indians live, is an integral part of our soul, our dreams and our aspirations,” PM Modi added.
President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tribute to Patel saying, "My humble tributes on the birth anniversary of Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A symbol of the unity of the country, Sardar Patel occupies a high place among our foremost nation-builders. The countrymen will always be indebted to Sardar Patel for establishing a work culture based on morality and service to the nation."
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Paying a floral tribute at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Patel’s dedication, loyalty, struggle and sacrifice serve as an inspiration to citizens for unity and integrity of the country.
"Sardar Sahib's dedication, loyalty, struggle and sacrifice for the motherland inspires every Indian to dedicate himself for the unity and integrity of the country. On the birth anniversary of such a great craftsman of united India, salutations at his feet and best wishes to all the countrymen on 'National Unity Day'," tweeted Amit Shah.