NEW DELHI: Crediting India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with having laid the foundation for the country’s journey to becoming a global leader in every field, home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday lamented how he was “forgotten for years” and also “deprived” of the nation’s top recognition, Bharat Ratna.
Addressing a gathering at the flagging off of ‘Run for Unity‘, organised each year since 2015 to mark Patel’s birth anniversary, Shah said the run not only signifies the nation’s pledge for unity and integrity – in recognition of Patel’s contribution of bringing 553 princely states together after Independence to create Union of India – but will now also see citizens resolving to fulfil PM Modi’s vision of making the country a fully developed nation by 2047.
Highlighting that India today stands before the world as a flourishing, developing, and strong nation, Shah said it was thanks to strong will and quick decision-making of Sardar Patel, popularly known as ‘Iron Man of India‘, that 553 princely states were brought together to create a united nation after Independence. “Today, India stands strong before the world and is on the path to becoming a leader in every field…the foundation for this was laid by Sardar Patel,” he said.
Despite this, Shah said, it was unfortunate that Patel was “forgotten for years” and overlooked for Bharat Ratna. He said that PM Modi has made the legacy of Sardar Patel immortal by building his giant statue, the world’s tallest, in Gujarat’s Kevadia.
“Sardar Patel’s vision, ideas, and message have been given a concrete shape by PM Modi. These will continue to be a guiding light for the young generation,” he said.
The ‘Run for Unity’ was attended by Union ministers Manohar Lal and Mansukh Mandaviya, Delhi LG VK Saxena, junior home minister Nityanand Rai. Though organised on Patel’s birth anniversary on Oct 31 every year, it was advanced this year to Oct 29 on account of Diwali, which falls on Oct 31 this year.