Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

A popular anecdote recounts that he lanced his own boil without hesitation , even as the barber charged with doing it trembled. Born to Jhaverabhai Patel and Lady Ladba , on 31^st October , 1875 , that boy was no special , as good as ordinary. Vallabh Bhai Jhaverabhai Patel , commonly known as Vallabh bhai Patel passed his matriculation relatively late at 22. By his elders he was considered an unambitious man deserving a commonplace job.

In 1910 , Vallabh Bhai went to England for the sake of his dream of becoming a barrister and saw his dream come true in 1912.When Patel returned to India he got busy in the fight for Independence. In September 1917, Patel delivered speech in Borsad , encouraging Indians nationwide to sign Gandhi’s petition demanding – SELF-RULE – from Britain. Impressed by Vallabh , Gandhi made a move to meet him and encouraged him to serve as the Secretary of the Gujrat  Sabha, so that it could become a gujrati arm for Indian National Congress. That was the time Vallabh bhai Patel never took off his hands from the fight for freedom and self-rule.

This was the time around Vallabh Bhai started to volunteer in political matters by himself. In 1918, Vallabh Bhai with the support of Narhari Parikh , Mohanlal pandya , and Abbaa Tyabji organised a village-by-village tour , documenting grievances and asking support of farmer for a statewide revolt by refusing to pay taxes. To neutralise the revolt , policemen were sent, to seize properties and valuables. Patel developed a network of volunteers in every village to help people hide their valuables and tackle the raids. Many were arrested. Patel’s efforts took shape and government agreed to negotiate with Patel and decided to suspend the payment of taxes for an year, even the scaling back the rates. These efforts of him made him famous and a hero in the eyes of Gujratis. He was made the president of a newly formed Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee in 1920. This was the event that made Patel an important stakeholder in India’s struggle for freedom.

Progressively Vallabh Bhai Patel became Minister of Home affairs of India after Independence in 1947. Vallabh Bhai Patel was known for his restless participation and contribution in India’s struggle for idependence, But his major contribution to India was to Unite the princely States to India. Princely states are those ruled under local leaders or heirarchial rulers. After Independence these states did not want to merge with India. At the time when British left the sub-continent , there were around 565 Princely states. Which covered around 40% of the total area. Vallabh Bhai Patel saw the significance of these states and a dream of United India.

This was the time real Vallabh Bhai Patel came in action and took charge of uniting all the princely states to India.  He persuaded almost every of the 565 princely states to merge with India. More precisely Vallabh Bhai Patel successfully integrated 562 of the princely states to India. This achievement formed the cornerstone of Patel’s popularity in the post-independence era. He was then, in regard, was compared to Otto Von Bismarck who unites the German states in 1871. Even today he is remembered as the man who united India. In his twilight years he was also honoured by members of parliament.

Patel’s health started declining in summer of 1950. Then he started coughing out blood. After long run of treatment. Vallabh Bhai Patel took his last breath on 15 December, 1950 in Bombay(Mumbai) at an age of 75.

Located in Gujarat, there stands 182 meters tall idol of Vallabh Bhai Patel, dedicated to him only with a glorious name perfectly going parallel to his contribution in Integration of India-The Statue of Unity

This was how an ordinary boy from Nadiad, destined for a commonman job became First Home Minister of Independent India and played a vital role and managed to be called

SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL