India Consulate, Atlanta Celebrates Rashtriya Ekta Divas (National Unity Day) with patriotic fervor to Commemorate Sardar Patel’s 143rd Birth Anniversary

Text and Pics. By Mahadev Desai

The Consulate General of India, Atlanta in collaboration with the Sardar Patel Foundation of North America and Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta celebrated the 143rd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Tuesday, October 31, 2018. The joyous event was graced by Consul General in Atlanta, Dr.Swati Kulkarni, Consulate Officers/staff; former President of Gujarati Samaj and President of Sardar Patel Foundation for 2018 and 2019, Vasudev Patel, current President Bakul Patel, Sardar Patel Foundation of America’s Founder President Vinodbhai Patel, and Founder member Chandler Sharma ,leading members of the Indian community and the media representatives.

The Consulate’s Head of Chancery, Mr. Shailesh Lakhtakia warmly welcomed all and spoke briefly about Sardar Patel. He said that Sardar Patel, a great patriot, a statesman, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and a founding father of the Republic of India, who played a leading role in the country's struggle for independence and its integration into a united, independent nation will not be forgotten He is often compared to Germany’s Chancellor and Prime Minister Otto Von Bismarck, but .
whereas Bismarck unified Germany involving 39 states, Sardar Patel did a much bigger task involving 562 states, hence Patel’s contribution is worthy of most recognition and respect. Churchill was known to scoff at Gandhi and Patel. But fearless Patel once strongly retorted as in this quote from B. Krishna’s book, ‘India’s Bismarck’. Churchill was impressed and lauded Patel!

Dr.Swati Kulkarni

Churchill: In India, power will go into the hands of rascals, rogues and free-booters. These are men of straw of whom no trace will be found after a few years
Patel: You are an unashamed imperialist at a time when Imperialism is on its last legs. You are the proverbial last ditcher for whom obstinacy and stupid consistency count more than reason, imagination and wisdom. I should like to tell His Majesty's government that if they wish India to maintain friendly relations with Great Britain, they must see that India is no way subjected to malicious and venomous attacks of this kind, and that British statesmen and others learn to speak of this country in terms of friendship and goodwill.

Churchill: I thoroughly enjoyed your retort. I have nothing but admiration for the way the new dominion has settled down to the tasks and responsibilities. Mr. Patel, you should not confine yourself within the limits of India, but the world is entitled to see and hear more of you.
Dr.Swati welcomed and thanked all for attending the Bhartiya Ekta Day celebrations. We want to celebrate the unity of India, to which immense contribution has been made by Sardar Patel. We all know that he is known as ‘Iron Man of India’ and he ensured that India was eternal, is eternal and will be eternal. The biggest gift he gave was unity and in his honor I request you all that we should take this Pledge today. All stood up and Dr.Swati led the gathering in reciting the Rashtriya Ekta Divas Pledge, first in Hindi and then in English.

HOC Mr.Lakhtakia.	Vinodbhai Patel	Vasudevbhai Patel

“I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also to strive hard to spread this message among my fellow countrymen. I take this pledge in the spirit of unification of my country which was made possible by the vision and actions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I also solemnly resolve to make my own contribution to ensure internal security of my country.”

Taking the Pledge

The attendees then offered floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Vice Consul Bikash Kumar read an uplifting poem in Hindi composed by him to mark the occasion. His recitation of the poem in praise of Sardar received a wide applause.
Vinod bhai Patel gave a brief history of the Sardar Patel Foundation. Lauding Sardar Patel, he said,”Sardar Patel is known as Lion man but I may add that he was also an Iron man. Hitler was afraid of Churchill. Churchill was afraid of Gandhi. Gandhi was afraid of God. But Sardar Patel was afraid of only his conscience.Vinodbhai then referred to a Hindi movie ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’. Sardar Patel used to say’ Mera Desh mera Gaon’ because he had the welfare of whole India in his heart. He also advised the youth to be innovators and job-givers rather than job-seekers .Speaking of the Statue, he said that it is not merely a Statue but a symbol of oneness. He recognized attorney Chandler Sharma

Vasudev Patel shared that Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875, in a farming family in a small village in Nadiad, Gujarat. Sharing an anecdote he said that when Vallabhbhai was about seven years, he had a huge boil under his arm. His family could not afford a physician so invited a barber to help, But the young boy lanced his own painful boil without hesitation, even as the barber trembled watching him. He wanted to study law in England. When the pass and ticket arrived it was address as V. Patel. His elder brother’s name was Vithalbhai so both had same initial V. His brother also wanted to study law so Vallbhbhai let him go first. Later on, he went to England, and became a Barrister and had a very flourishing law practice in Ahmedabad.

 He used to wear suits and tie and in the evening go to the Club, play bridge and smoke cigars. But he gave it all up and joined Gandhi in India's Independence struggle. He threw his British clothes in the bonfire and started wearing dhoti and kurta. He galvanized farmers in Gujarat in a non-violent revolt in getting the harsh taxes repealed. He was imprisoned several times. In prison, he and Gandhi bonded together like brothers. He played an active role in the Quit India movement. He led the monumental feat of integrating into the newly independent nation approximately 565 self-governing princely states. As the first Deputy Prime Minister, and Min.of Home Affairs he unified the country earning him the sobriquet ‘Iron Man of India’

In India, the Prime Min.Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s tallest and imposing 182 meter landmark Statue of Sardar Patel to coincide with his 143rd Birth anniversary as a befitting tribute to the visionary leader for his pivotal role in India’s independence and unity.

The attendees exchanged Happy Diwali greetings and then enjoyed the delicious dinner offered by the ever hospitable Consulate.


 

Bikash recites his Poem सरदार का आज जन्मदिन मन रहा शानदार है जैसे लग रहा है आज जैसे की कोई त्यौहार है एकता के सूत्र में सबको बाँधनेवाले लौहपुरुष चुन चुन विरोधियों का निकालनेवाले महाज़ूलूस आपको जन्मदिन की शुभकामनाएँ बार बार हैं क्यूँकि आज का दिन बन गया अब त्यौहार है आपने जीते जी सब पर किए कई उपकार हैं भारत को एकता का दिया सबसे बड़ा उपहार है आज़ादी के बाद जैसे आपने भारत को थामा था आज शायद उससे भी ज़्यादा ज़रूरत है क्यूँकि अनपढ़ से अब हम शिक्षित बन गए हैं एकता से किसका फ़ायदा किसका नुक़सान समझ गए हैं आज कुर्सी के लिए सभी को लड़ाते हैं सब बात समझ गए हैं प्रधानमंत्री का पद छोड़ सबको थामनेवाले आप जननायक थे जिसे पहचान अब भारत के नरेन्द्र आगे आए हैं सभी को तोहफ़ा देने statue of Unity लाए हैं सब ये बात समझ गए हैं सरदार का आज जन्मदिन मन रहा शानदार है जैसे लग रहा है आज जैसे की कोई त्यौहार है काश आज जो आप होते तो शायद ख़ुश होते एकान्त में बैठ शायद आप छुप छुप कर रोते आँखें अपनी पोंछ बारंबार आप यही सोचते आसानी से कर दिखाए कितने कठिन काम है की आपका क़द आज छू रहा अब आसमान है Statue of Unity विश्व की सबसे ऊँची मूर्ति है आपकी प्रतिमूर्ति को मिला आज ये सम्मान है आज हर माँ की लालसा है आप सी सन्तान हो ताकी भारत का दिन दो गुणा रात सौ गुणा उत्थान हो जैसे हिंदुस्तानी भूलेंगे नहीं इस सरदार को विश्व भी भूल नहीं पाएगा आप के कीर्तिमान को सरदार का आज जन्मदिन मन रहा शानदार है जैसे लग रहा है आज जैसे की कोई त्यौहार है बिकाश प्रतिभा कुमार सौरेंद्