An elaborate initiative has been taken by Prime Minster Narendra Modi to mark Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary as National Unity Day. An iron statue as symbol of unity is being installed to keep his memories alive. The statue will be the largest in the world and stand as a testimony to his contributions,  Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said in his blog.

Paying his tribute to the Iron Man on his birth anniversary, Chouhan said, “Sardar Patel integrated the 560 odd princely states into Indian Union with matchless political acumen, boldness and ability. His role in integration and re-building of India would always be remembered. All possible efforts should be made to acquaint the new generation with the contribution of Sardar Patel.”

Playing a povital role in India’s freedom struggle, Sardar Patel dealt with the revolt of Travancore and Hyderabad states. It is due to his statesmanship that Bhopal and Junagarh got merged in Indian Union. “I believe that, had Sardar Patel not been the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister in 1947, the history of India would have been quite different,” the Chief Minister added.

Chouhan goes on to mention that Sardar Patel was deeply impressed and influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. During the Gujarat’s peasant movement the country came to know of the Sardar’s extraordinary organising capacity. “It is due to his boldness and sagacity that he is called India’s Bismarck. Mahatma Gandhi gave him the soubriquet of Sardar for his exceptionally great leadership qualities,” he said, and added, Patel is also called “India’s Iron Man and lenin of Bardoli”.

He said, “Reverential salutes to Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel, one of the lodestars of the country’s freedom movement and rebuilding of the nation, on behalf of the 75 million people of Madhya Pradesh.”