Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary: Unknown facts about Iron Man of India
On the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on October 31, 2018, PM Modi unveiled the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat's Narmada district. His birthday is observed as National Unity Day.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as Sardar Patel, played a key role in the Indian freedom movement. He united 562 princely states to build the Republic of India.
A truly great social leader, his work was characterised by excellence. He has made his spot in the history of our nation and in our hearts for eternity. He played an instrumental role in India’s struggle for independence, is hailed even today for his contributions.
Sardar Patel worked with astonishing speed to dismantle the history of imperialism and create the geography of unity with the spirit of nationalism. He saved India from Balkanisation and integrated even the weakest of limbs into the national framework.
On the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on October 31, 2018, PM Modi unveiled the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat's Narmada district. His birthday is observed as National Unity Day.
With a height of 182 meters, the Sardar Patel statue is 100 times larger than the average person. The total height of the Sardar Patel statue is double that of New York's Statue of Liberty. The world’s tallest statue has been completed in the shortest time.
On his birth anniversary, let's take a look at some of the lesser-known facts about him:
Patel passed his matriculation when he was about 22 years old. He wasn’t interested in politics initially. It was after meeting Gandhiji in 1917 that he was motivated to quit his job and join the Independence struggle.
He is credited for the political integration of over 500 princely states into the independent Indian Union.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel advocated Swaraj or self-rule and organised peasants in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against the British.
His wife Jhaverba passed away when he was only 33 years old, but he loved her deeply and so, never remarried.
The Statue of Unity, unveiled by PM Modi, stands on the banks of the Narmada river. It is 182m high, making it the tallest in the world. The statue was built at a cost of Rs 2,989 crore.