Venu Menon
Wellington, November 1,2023
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was marked by the High Commission of India in Wellington to commemorate the 148th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel on October 31.
Popularly known as the Iron Man of India, Patel served as the first deputy prime minister as well as home minister of India from 1947 to 1950.
Patel is remembered as the great unifier of post-Partition India who integrated 565 princely states under one flag.
Second Secretary (Consular) and Head of Chancery Mukesh Ghiya, addressing the guests, said Patel “played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for Independence from British rule.” Patel’s leadership during the Freedom movement was “characterised by his ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds,” Ghiya noted.
He said one of Patel’s most significant achievements was his role in integrating the princely states into a united and independent India in 1947. “His diplomacy, tact and perseverance were instrumental in convincing the princely states to accede to the Indian Union and ensuring the territorial integrity of the nation,” Ghiya added.
Patel demonstrated reserves of will and determination which earned him the title of Iron Man. He was a staunch advocate of social and economic reforms, and was a tireless crusader against social inequality. “His efforts laid the foundation for a strong and united India,” Ghiya observed.
“Sardar Vallabhai Patel’s legacy extends far beyond the pages of history,” Ghiya noted, adding, “His principles of unity, integrity and inclusive development continue to guide the nation.”
The audience took part in a Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge, which was followed by an Integrity Pledge for Citizens.
Second Secretary (Press, Info and Culture) Durga Dass reminded the gathering of the onerous challenge faced by Patel in unifying the princely states. Had it not been for Patel’s efforts, “we would need visas to travel between states within India,” Dass pointed out.
This was followed by a video presentation on Patel’s statue, measuring 182 metres and located in the Indian state of Gujarat. The statue is said to be the tallest in the world.
In an interactive session with the audience, Second Secretary Dass highlighted the importance of unity which was reflected in the nomenclature of powerful nations such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom, as well as international organisations such as the United Nations.
Prof Kirpal Singh from the audience drew attention to Patel’s title of “Sardar.” In 1928, Patel successfully led the Bardoli campaign against increased taxes, which earned him the title of Sardar (leader), a sobriquet that stayed with him throughout.
“Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or Unity Day is a time to remind ourselves that we have to stay united,” Dass rounded off his address.
Wellington Indian Association (WIA) President Manisha Morar recalled the Indian Government’s decision in 2014 to declare October 31 as Unity Day as a tribute to the “national unity that Sardar Patel helped to create.” She noted that Patel’s vision was to integrate the people of India “irrespective of their caste, ethnicity, gender or religion.”
She said Patel believed that “national unity is the attainment of collective identity among the residents of a country.”
“It shows that even though we belong to different religions, regions and castes, and speak different languages, we should always feel that we are one,” Morar said.
Referencing the Kiwi Indian community in New Zealand, Morar noted :“We see here, not only in Wellington but across New Zealand, our unity as Indians is our greatest asset. The development of a strong Indian ethnic group is aided by support from the Indian High Commission. Indians in New Zealand coexist without discrimination, which is our community’s most distinguishing characteristic. Here, people of all castes, religions and languages coexist with one another. We Indians respect each other, and stand by each other, in good times and bad. We must feel proud of this.”
The prosperous and unified Indian diaspora also drew from the contribution of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Morar noted in closing.
Venu Menon is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Wellington
