On October 31st 1875, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat. A barrister by profession, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the most trusted of Mahatma Gandhi’s allies. He was instrumental in organizing peasants in Kheda, Borsad and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against the British Raj.

After independence, he became the first deputy prime minister and home minister of Independent India. For refugees fleeing from Pakistan, Vallabhbhai Patel organized relief efforts in Delhi and Punjab. He also persuaded every princely state to join India.

Patel’s dedication to national integration has earned him the nickname "Iron Man of India" . He deservedly got a monument for his efforts, titled ‘Statue of Unity’, which is the world’s largest statue. October 31 is annually celebrated as ‘National Unity Day’ in India to cherish his ideals and values.

To honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, we would like to dedicate this article to him and his principles.

Secularism

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a deep believer in unity between all religions. During his public address in Karachi in 1931, he talked about how he would give rights to Muslims in Independent India. He always thought that the only way to build Hindu-Muslim unity was through trust and equality.

Non-Violence & Upliftment of the Downtrodden

As one of the closest people to Mahatma Gandhi, it is no surprise that Vallabhbhai Patel was a subscriber to the philosophy of non-violence. He was also an advocate for Gandhi’s non-cooperative movement.

Besides these, he was also a staunch proponent of agrarian society, claiming that agriculturists and labourers were responsible for the entire globe.

Fundamental Rights and Liberty

Vallabhbhai Patel was convinced that fundamental rights and liberty were essential prerequisites for the development of an individual and a nation.

He used his platform to voice his opinion on issues against exploitation and criticized the high-handedness of authority, the exploitative revenue policy of the Government, and maladministration in the Princely states.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has made an undeniable contribution to our country. Being a champion of unity and fundamental rights, he has become an inspiration for all Indians living today.

To celebrate National Unity Day, here are some ideas you can use:

1. Inter-religion or Inter-caste dining to promote unity and harmony.
2. Give a talk on his role in the Indian Independence Movement
3. Conduct a drawing competition among kids to instil Vallabhbhai Patel’s values in them
4. Organize a visit to the Statue of Unity in Gujarat
5. Pledge to practice his ideals daily
6. Discuss the emancipation of the poor and downtrodden

Child Help Foundation deeply believes in Vallabhbhai Patel’s values and principles. Child Help Foundation has been committed to uplifting the poor since its inception. For more than a decade, Child Help Foundation has helped 44,81,098 and counting.

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