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Jaipur, Nov 26 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday said it is the country’s misfortune that despite the immense contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he has been forgotten and his role in the history of independent India was deliberately minimized.
Addressing the Unity @ 150 Yamuna Pravah Yatra program on Amar Jawan Jyoti, the Chief Minister said that Sardar Patel was not given the respect that he really deserved. At the same time, the contribution of the same family was glorified again and again.
The Chief Minister said that the Iron Man of India played an important role in nation building with his visionary thinking, determination and bold decisions.
He urged the youth to take inspiration from the life of Sardar Patel, put the “nation first” and contribute to building a strong, united and developed India. Extending greetings on Constitution Day, Sharma said that Bhimrao Ambedkar gave the country the world’s largest Constitution, which guides India’s progress.
Addressing the Yamuna Pravah Yatra organized under the Sardar@150 Unity March, Sharma said that on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel is being celebrated across the country.
As part of the march, youth from various states including Rajasthan will travel from Jaipur to Karamsad, the birthplace of Sardar Patel. He said that this visit provides a unique opportunity to the youth to closely understand the life, struggle, patriotism and values ​​of Sardar Patel.
The Chief Minister remembered the invaluable contribution of Sardar Patel in the freedom struggle. Known as “Sardar” for his leadership during the Bardoli Satyagraha, he inspired farmers to fight for their rights and even went to jail, yet never compromised his principles.
Sharma said that after independence on August 15, 1947, India had to face the huge challenge of uniting hundreds of fragmented princely states. Sardar Patel, through his diplomacy, foresight and sometimes persistence, integrated 562 princely states into the Union of India.
Hyderabad was integrated through Operation Polo, while Junagadh joined India after a referendum. Sardar Patel made national unity his supreme mission and achieved it successfully.
Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken forward Patel’s legacy by removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and has fulfilled his unfulfilled dream.
He said, today India is becoming one – East to West, North to South. He said the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, stands as a tribute to the monumental contribution of Sardar Patel. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister since 2014, the country has witnessed unprecedented growth, progress in poverty alleviation and a decisive stance against terrorism and Naxalism, enhancing India’s global stature.
Sharma said Sardar Patel’s life offers five major lessons for every Indian: devotion to duty, honesty and integrity, determination, unity and simplicity.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister flagged off the Yamuna Pravah Yatra under the Sardar@150 Unity March. Before this, he paid tribute to the martyrs by offering a floral wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti.
–IANS
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