Kevadia:Â Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s life is an inspiration for all of us, specially youth as it is keeping us ‘united’ to take the country forward.
“There can only be one Sardar in centuries and that one Sardar keeps the flame lit for centuries. The inspiration given by Sardar Sahab has kept our country intact and is keeping us united to take the country forward. The unified form of Mother India that we are seeing today is only due to the actions of Sardar Sahab,” said Shah while addressing a programme here organised on the occasion of ‘National Unity Day’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
The Union Minister said Kevadiya is not only the name of a place but it has become a pilgrimage for national unity, integrity, patriotism and the colossal statue of Sardar Patel gives the message to the world that the future of India is bright and no one can damage our unity and integrity.
Taking a veiled dig at the Congress, Shah said, “After Independence, Sardar’s contribution never received due respect and place, and, neither he was honoured with the Bharat Ratna nor was he given due respect. But how long can clouds keep the sun covered? Things changed, the country changed and Sardar Sahab was honoured with the Bharat Ratna and the world’s tallest statue is before all of us.”
“When the BJP government came to power in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, it was decided to celebrate October 31 as National
Unity Day so that Sardar Patel’s struggle for the independence of the country and after that to keep the nation united continues to inspire our younger generation for years. The Statue of Unity is a symbol of this,’ the Union Minister said.
Shah further said that the PM has placed before us the resolve to create a vibrant, developed, prosperous, safe, cultured and educated India.
“Modi ji has taken new initiatives in every field including national security, economic reforms and self-reliance. Within seven years, the hope of building a unique India, which was envisioned by Sardar Patel, has awakened 130 crore people of the country and especially in the minds of 60 crore poor people of the country. These seven years were dedicated to 60 crore poor of the country,” he said.
He further said the work started by PM Narendra Modi to connect 60 crore poor people and 130 crore citizens with country’s journey of development and unity and integrity of the nation, will definitely fulfill dream of Sardar Patel, also known as ‘Iron Man of India’ and added that ‘this will give India its rightful place in the world.”
Earlier, Shah has paid floral tributes at the Sardar Patel statue. (UNI)
