Assembly hosts symposium to mark Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniv

The Delhi Legislative Assembly on Thursday celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with a symposium and a photo exhibition highlighting his monumental role in unifying the nation.

The event was inaugurated by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, who, along with other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to the Iron Man of India.

Governor Khan, in his address, said, “Unity is not created by bricks and stones; unity arises from emotion, and emotion arises from thought.” Drawing parallels between Adi Shankaracharya and Sardar Patel, he remarked that while Adi Shankaracharya brought spiritual unity to India through Vedanta, Patel achieved its political unity through courage and conviction. He praised the government’s decision to observe Patel’s birth anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, calling it a fitting tribute to the architect of India’s unity, and urged citizens to follow his ideals to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.

Speaker Vijender Gupta described Sardar Patel as the architect of India’s integration, whose courage and foresight transformed a divided land into one sovereign nation. He said, “The strength of a nation lies not in its might, but in its unity of hearts and purpose.” Gupta recalled Patel’s pivotal role in merging over 565 princely states into one nation and said that his vision and administrative foresight laid the foundation of India’s civil services and governance structure.

Administrator of Swaraj Ashram, Bardoli, Niranjanaben Kalarthi, shared her memories of Patel, describing him as a leader of compassion and humility. “It is a matter of pride for the whole world that Sardar Patel did not let even a single drop of blood be shed while uniting 562 out of 565 princely states,” she said. Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra lauded Prime Minister Modi for reviving Patel’s legacy through the Statue of Unity and called Patel’s ideals timeless symbols of India’s strength and solidarity.

A special exhibition titled “Sardar Patel and the Journey of India’s Unification” was also inaugurated on the occasion. It featured rare archival photographs, historical documents and artefacts that showcased Patel’s role in the freedom struggle and the integration of princely states. The exhibition also displayed images of Patel with Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, along with stamps, coins and books tracing his contributions to nation-building.

The event concluded with participants taking a pledge to uphold Sardar Patel’s ideals of unity, integrity, and national service. The Delhi Assembly echoed with tributes to the Iron Man, reaffirming that the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat continues to guide the nation’s journey forward.

‘Just like Adi Shankara’

• Drawing parallels between Adi Shankaracharya and Sardar Patel, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan remarked that while Adi Shankaracharya brought spiritual unity to India through Vedanta, Patel achieved its political unity through courage and conviction.
• The Governor praised the government’s decision to observe Patel’s birth anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, calling it a fitting tribute to the architect of India’s unity, and urged citizens to follow his ideals to fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.