SARDAR PATEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: The Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Sardar Patel on his Jayanti. PM said that with his indomitable spirit, visionary statesmanship and the extraordinary dedication Sardar Patel shaped the destiny of our nation.

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

• Born: 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. 
• First Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India.
• He always requested the people of India to live together by uniting (Ek Bharat) in order to create a foremost India (Shresth Bharat).
• This ideology still reflects in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative which seeks to make India Self-Reliant.
• Headed various Committees: Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Committee on Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas., and the Provincial Constitution Committee.
• Title of “Sardar: He earned this title by women of Bardoli after spearheading a no-tax campaign by peasants there.
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991
• Statue of Unity: It is built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Sadhu Hill.

Contribution

• Integrating India: In 1947, Sardar Patel, India's Deputy PM, adeptly integrated diverse regions, averting unrest and fostering India's unity.
• Civil services in Independent India: Sardar Patel is credited with laying the groundwork for the Indian Civil Service in free India, aiming to establish a robust unified national administration. 
• His vision aimed at building a strong and vibrant administrative system.
• Border Security: Patel conceptualized some of the greatest policies to keep India secured from border countries’ attack. He wanted India to focus on - The need for strengthening the defense force & Examining and reshuffling the military position in various borders.