National Unity Day 2020 Image: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birthday is October 31
India will observe Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birthday on October 31. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birthday is marked as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas or National Unity Day every year. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement and was the person who persuaded the 565 princely states to accede to independent India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is known as the ‘Iron Man of India‘for his great commitment to national integration. A lawyer by profession, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was elected to the Municipal Society of Ahmedabad in 1917 and served as president of the city’s civic body in 1922, 1924 and 1927. During Sardar Patel’s tenure, he ensured that The city’s infrastructure has improved and has special care for drainage and sewerage systems. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is often considered the father of the Indian Constitution and was a key member of the Constituent Assembly. He was the Prime Minister of the Interior and Deputy Prime Minister of India. In 2014, the government declared its birthday as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Getting to know Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the iron man of India
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Gujarat. He studied law and was one of the most talented lawyers in the country.
- In 1917, Sarder Patel joined the struggle for independence from India after meeting Mahatma Gandhi. He encouraged the Indians to sign a petition demanding full Swaraj or autonomy.
- He had organized relief efforts during the Gujarat famine and was the force behind the “Gujarat Satyagraha”.
- In 1920 Sardar Patel became chairman of the Congressional Committee of Gujarat Pradesh and worked against alcoholism, untouchability, and caste discrimination.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a key aide to Mahatma Gandhi in his non-cooperation movement and switched to wearing only khadi.
- He led the Indian National Congress and organized the party for the elections of 1934 and 1937.
- Sardar Patel was given the enormous task of unifying the 565 princely states with independent India, which earned him the title of “Iron Man of India”.
- He died on December 15, 1950 in Bombay. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel received the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
