LONG ESSAY ON SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL – ESSAY 3 (800 WORDS)

LONG ESSAY ON SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL – ESSAY 3 

Introduction

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as iron man of India held the posts of first deputy Prime Minister, first Minister of Home Affairs and first Commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces of India, in office from 15thAugust 1947 to 15th December 1950. He was also a successful barrister and a senior leader and 49th President of the Indian National Congress. Vallabhbhai’s contribution in the freedom struggle as well as in India’s integration post independence was immense. The united India that we have today could be attributed to the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

After India gained freedom, he was instrumental in persuading all the princely states to accede to India, often threatening them with military action when needed. This uncompromising attitude for an integrated India has earned him the title of “Iron Man of India”. On 31st October 2018, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated a colossal statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, called the “Statue of Unity”, in the state of Gujarat India.

Ambition and Education

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born as Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, on 31st October 1875. His father was Jhaverbhai Patel and his mother was Laad Bai. Sardar Patel was a mediocre student; though, he developed a philosophical attitude, since his childhood. He cleared his matriculation at a late age of 22 years and was considered as unambitious and someone who is fit only for a mediocre job.

This however, wasn’t exactly the case as Vallabhbhai nurtured a dream of studying law from England and become a successful barrister. Thus, he pursued his studies, by borrowing books from other lawyers and passed the examination within two years. Subsequently, he was called to bar and settled down in Godhara, Gujarat with his wife Jhaverbaben Patel.

It took him many years of successful practice as a lawyer and saving money, at the same time dispensing his family’s financial obligations, before he had enough money to travel to England to become a barrister.

Sardar Patel applied for a pass and a ticket to England in the name of V.J. Patel and the correspondence was addressed to his brother, who also had the same initials. However, a surprise awaited him as his elder brother declared that he had also nurtured a dream of studying in England and if he follows on the footsteps of his younger brother, it would bring bad name to the family’s reputation. Such was the level of sacrifice of Sardar Patel for his family, that he let his elder brother go to England and continued his practice in Godhara.

Not before he was aged 36, that Sardar Patel again got a chance to travel to England and study in the Temple Inn in London, completing a 36 months course in 30 months. He returned and settled in Ahmadabad, becoming the city’s most successful barrister. At this stage, Sardar Patel had no political ambitions and only thought of amassing wealth practicing as a barrister and giving best education to his children – daughter named Maniben Patel and son named Dahyabhai Patel.

Political Activism

Vallabhbhai Patel was elected as the sanitation commissioner of Ahmadabad in 1917. Though, he confronted the British Officials on several civic issues, he never showed keen interest in politics. Things began to change after Patel met Mahatma Gandhi in person in October 1917. On the insistence of Gandhi, Patel became the secretary of Gujarat Sabha, which was the Gujarat arm of Indian National Congress. From there began Patel’s journey for the freedom struggle; fighting for the rights of peasants, farmers and supporting reforms like Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.

Post Independence

Sardar Patel played a prominent role in the integration of India after independence. He persuaded Jawaharlal Nehru and other senior congress leaders to accept the Cabinet Mission Plan of 16th May 1946, which proposed the partition of India of religious grounds. Patel knew that rejecting the plan would mean that the Muslim league will be called for forming the government. The government was finally formed under the Prime Ministership of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel as the Minister of Home Affairs and Information and Broadcasting. Patel took a lead in dividing public assets in the partition of India.

In the ensuing violence following the partition of India, Patel travelled extensively to refugee camps and border areas in order to subdue the riots.

Sardar Patel was one of the three leaders who led India from 1948 to 1950, the other two being Governor General of India – Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Statue of Unity

The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated a colossal statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat on 31st October 2018. It is named the “Statue of Unity” and is located on a river island facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam, 100 Kms southeast of Vadodara.

Conclusion

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a man of distinguished resolve and determination. He also had a foresight which is only a trait of good political leaders. Without his contributions, the India that we have today would have been a distant dream.