Prime Minister Modi Honors Sardar Patel on National Unity Day

Tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

New Delhi: On the occasion of 'National Unity Day', Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, at the 'Statue of Unity' located by the Narmada River on Friday morning. Arriving at 'Ekta Nagar' around 8 AM, the Prime Minister offered floral tributes and bowed in respect at Patel's statue.

Celebrating Patel's 150th Birth Anniversary

This event marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. During the celebrations, Prime Minister Modi inspected the 'National Unity Day' parade and administered an oath of unity to the gathered crowd. Notably, the day before this event, he met with Patel's family, expressing, “It was a privilege to meet Sardar Patel's family in Kevadia. We reminisced about his remarkable contributions that played a crucial role in uniting India.”

Modi's Address on Patel's Legacy

While addressing the assembly, the Prime Minister highlighted that after independence, Sardar Patel accomplished the seemingly impossible task of uniting over 550 princely states. He stated, “Sardar Patel envisioned 'One India, Great India'. He believed in creating history rather than just writing it, weaving the nation together.”

Critique of Opposition Policies

In his speech, Modi also criticized the opposition, claiming that Congress's policies led to decades of unrest in Kashmir. He remarked, “Weak and misguided policies have allowed Pakistan to spread terrorism. The Congress has always adopted a soft stance, while Sardar Patel advocated for a strong and decisive approach.”

Inspiration from Patel's Ideals

In a video message shared on Patel's anniversary, the Prime Minister stated that India continues to draw inspiration from his ideals. He wrote, “On his 150th birth anniversary, India pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the chief architect of our unity, who laid the foundation of the nation. His dedication continues to inspire us towards building a united, empowered, and self-reliant India.”