BHOPAL: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel set a unique example of national unity by merging more than 500 princely states.
This is a unique event that has no parallel in the world. Chouhan was addressing the oath taking ceremony organised on National Unity Day at Shaurya Smarak on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Stating that Sardar Patel was a great patriotic leader with amazing determination, Chouhan said that today is the National Unity Day, the real credit for national unity goes to iron man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Today the whole nation pays obeisance to him. He played a crucial role in uniting India by firmly countering the ‘Divide and Rule’ policy of the Britishers. Chouhan said that Sardar Patel made his invaluable contribution whether it was the farmers’ movement of Bardoli or the movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Chouhan said due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a statue of Sardar Patel has been installed in Kevadiya as a symbol of the unity of the country, for which iron was collected from every village. It is not just a statue but an inspirational site of national unity.
The chief minister said that all of us should work with determination for the unity and integrity of India. All the people of the country and the state should have a feeling of respect towards the jawans posted on the borders of India. We must work dedicatedly to combat terrorism. Considering every Indian as his own, one must work with the spirit of brotherhood to take the country forward. He said that a powerful India is emerging under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
Chouhan administered the oath of National Unity Day to the people present at the function.
He urged them to take the oath and follow it sincerely. Chouhan lit the lamp at the swearing-in ceremony and paid floral tributes at the portrait of Sardar Patel.
The chief minister also released a book ‘Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Indian Politics’ focussing on the untouched aspects of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life and nationalist thought & philosophy. Under the joint aegis of Directorate of Swaraj Sansthan and Dharampal Research Chair, 18 research papers in selected English and Hindi presented in the national seminar organised in the year 2018 have been compiled in the book.
Chouhan paid homage to the immortal martyrs by laying a wreath at the Shaurya Smarak. He also honoured the painters who made paintings based on the saga of bravery.
Chief minister paid floral tributes at the statue of Bharat Mata in the Shaurya Memorial complex. He also met the police personnel and encouraged them.
Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, director general of police Vivek Johri, additional chief secretary, home, Rajesh Rajaura, additional chief secretary, general administration department, Vinod Kumar, principal secretary, culture and tourism, Sheo Shekhar Shukla along with other officers, police personnel and general people were present.
