Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of his death anniversary at Raj Bhavan

*Chandigarh, December 15, 2021:* Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the ‘Iron Man of India,’ played a leading role in the country’s independence movement and will always be remembered for the seminal work he did for the unity and integrity of the country even after independence. This was stated by Haryana Governor Shri Bandaru Dattatraya while paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of his death anniversary at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.

Shri Dattatraya said that Sardar Patel was a true nationalist, statesman and a patriot par excellence. He became the first Deputy Prime Minister of India and got 562 princely states of the country merged with India, which was a great task achieved by him. Hyderabad was the largest princely state, which was merged with India. Patel was instrumental in the liberation of Hyderabad and Telangana, said Shri Dattatraya.
The Governor said that Sardar Patel as the Home Minister of the country changed the bureaucracy to make it suitable to the needs and dynamics of free India by replacing the Indian Civil Services (ICS) with the Indian Administrative Services (IAS).
Shri Dattatraya said that one of the biggest contributions of Patel was the way he took the Kheda struggle in 1918 to its logical conclusion. The Kheda Division of Gujarat was in the grip of severe drought. Farmers were demanding tax exemption from the British government.
When this was not accepted, Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders led the farmers and motivated them not to pay taxes. Finally, the British government conceded to farmers’ demands. This was Patel’s first great success. Similarly, he actively participated in the Quit India Movement, said Shri Dattatraya.
Shri Dattatraya said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel gave up the job of barrister and took part in the freedom movement by following the principles of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. He worked as a true patriot with an utmost sense of sacrifice, tenacity, which laid the foundation of a strong, united and prosperous India.
Today’s young generation should take inspiration from Patel’s life of struggle, and his sense of nationalism. We all must work hard for strengthening our national unity, which will be a true tribute to the ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Patel.