Vallabhbhai Patel’s legacy continues to be relevant in today’s India: Narendra Modi

by Narendra Modi

The first half of 1947 was a critical period in India’s history. The end of British colonial rule was certain, as was Partition. But what was uncertain was whether there would be more than one division. Prices were rising, food shortages were common. But over and above everything else, India’s unity was under severe strain. It was in these circumstances that the States Department came into being in mid-1947. Among its chief aims was to negotiate India’s relationship with over 550 very diverse princely states.

It was ‘Sardar’ Vallabhbhai Patel, as deputy prime minister and home minister, who went about this work with precision, firmness and administrative efficiency.


The task was Herculean. But he was determined not to let his nation down. One by one, he and his team negotiated with the princely states and ensured that they all became a part of free India. It was due to Sardar Patel’s round-the-clock effort that the map of India is what it is today.

Former political adviser to the last viceroy, Louis Mountbatten, V P Menon, had apparently wanted to retire from government service after Independence. It was Patel who convinced him that it was not the time to either rest or retire, and Menon became secretary, ministry of states.



In The Story of the Integration of the Indian States, Menon writes how Patel led from the front and inspired the entire team to work assiduously. Patel was clear in his mind: first and foremost came the interests of the people of India, there would be no compromise on that. As Independent India’s first home minister, he set the stage for an administrative framework that continues to serve the nation.

Patel’s experience in governance, particularly in the 1920s when he served the Ahmedabad municipality, was extremely handy when he worked towards strengthening post-1947 India’s administrative framework. While in Ahmedabad, he did commendable work to enhance the cleanliness of the city, and providing for clean and functioning drainage systems. He also focused on other aspects of urban infrastructure such as roads, electricity and education.

Today, if India is known for a vibrant cooperative sector, a large part of the credit goes to Patel. The roots of the iconic dairy cooperative Amul — Anand Milk Producers Union Ltd — can be traced back to his vision for empowering local communities, particularly women. He also popularised the idea of cooperative housing societies, thus ensuring dignity and shelter for many.

India’s farmers had unparalleled faith in him. After all, he was a ‘kisan putra’ (farmer’s son), who led the Bardoli Satyagraha in Gujarat in 1928. The working class saw him as a leader who would speak up for them. Traders and industrialists also preferred to work with Patel as they felt here was a stalwart, who had a vision for India’s economic and industrial growth.

His political peers, too, trusted him. Congress president during Independence, ‘Acharya’ J B Kripalani, remarked that whenever the party faced an issue, and if Gandhiji’s guidance was unavailable, they would turn to Sardar Patel. When political negotiations were at their peak in 1947, Sarojini Naidu called him “the man of decision and man of action”.

Statute of Younity
This year’s Sardar Jayanti is special, with the ‘Statue of Unity’ inaugurated today on the banks of the Narmada. ‘Dharti Putra’ (Son of the Soil) Sardar Patel will stand tall in the skies, to guide us and inspire us. I urge you all to visit this grand memorial to the Sardar in the times to come.

The ‘Statue of Unity’ is a symbol of both the unity of hearts and the geographical integrity of India. It is a reminder that divided, we may not be even able to face ourselves. United, we can face the world and scale new heights of growth and glory.

(The writer is prime minister of India)