Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and a host of dignitaries paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary, recalling his visionary statesmanship and the extraordinary dedication 'with which he shaped the destiny of our nation.'
"On the Jayanti of Sardar Patel, we reflect on his indomitable spirit, visionary statesmanship, and the extraordinary dedication with which he shaped the destiny of our nation," he stated on X.
"His unwavering commitment to national integration continues to be our guiding light. We are forever grateful for his service," he added.
During a special ceremony at Patel Chowk in the capital, the President, Dhankhar, Shah, and others laid floral tributes at the statue of India's first home minister on his birth anniversary, which is observed as 'Rashtriya Ekta Divas.'
On 'X,' Shah stated that the unity and prosperity of India were Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's lifelong objectives.
Shah emphasized that with his strong determination, political acumen, and hard work, Patel succeeded in unifying India, which was then divided into over 550 princely states.
"Sardar Saheb's devoted life to the nation and his nation-building efforts as the country's first Home Minister will always serve as a source of inspiration. Homage to the Iron Man Sardar Patel on his birth anniversary, and best wishes to all our countrymen on Rashtriya Ekta Divas," he wrote on 'X' in Hindi.
The attendees at the Patel Chowk event included Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, among many others.
Born in Gujarat in 1875, Patel was a lawyer who emerged as a prominent Congress leader and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi during the struggle for independence.
As independent India's first home minister, he is recognized for uniting hundreds of princely states into the Union through a combination of persuasion and resoluteness."
