Sardar Patel sacrificed every moment of his life for India, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is fully capable of meeting all kinds of challenges due to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s inspiration. Paying tributes to India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister on his 146th birth anniversary, Modi said Patel sacrificed every moment of his life for the country.

“Our goals can only be met if we stay united. Sardar Patel always wanted India to be strong, inclusive, sensitive, alert, polite and developed. He always gave importance to the nation’s interest,” the Prime Minister said in a video message from Rome, where he is attending the G20 Summit.

National Unity Day: Quotes by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that envision his India

October 31 is observed as or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day since 2014 to mark Patel’s birth anniversary.

“India is not just a geographical unit but a nation full of the parameters of ideals, resolutions, civilisation and culture. The land, where we 135 crore Indians live, is an integral part of our soul, our dreams and our aspirations,” Modi said.

Every Indian should shoulder the responsibility of nurturing the foundation of democracy. “We can go ahead only if we stay united,” he added.

No one can damage India’s unity and integrity: Amit Shah

Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind also paid tributes to Patel. “My humble tributes on the birth anniversary of Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A symbol of the unity of the country, Sardar Patel occupies a high place among our foremost nation-builders. The countrymen will always be indebted to Sardar Patel for establishing a work culture based on morality and service to the nation.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid floral tribute at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.

Why Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary celebrated as National Unity Day

Patel’s dedication, loyalty, struggle and sacrifice for the “motherland inspires every Indian to dedicate himself for the unity and integrity of the country,” Shah tweeted.

Other Union ministers, including Nitin Gadkari, Hardeep Singh Puri and Piyush Goyal among others, also paid tributes to Sardar Patel.