Sardar Vallabhai Patel- Iron Man of India

Sardar Vallabhai Patel (1875-1950)

• Sardar Vallabhai Patel was Independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

• Vallabhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875 in Gujarat. Every year  31 October is celebrated as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) as annual commemoration of his birthday.

• He is known as the Iron Man of India or Bismarck of India.

• He played major role in peasant movement in Kheda district of Gujarat on 1917 to 1918.

• He was the leader of Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928, in the state of Gujarat.

• Mahatma Gandhi gave the title of Sardar to Vallabhbhai Patel for his great organizational skill in Bardoli Satyagraha.

• He was President of INC Session at Karachi in 1931. The most significant contribution of the Karachi session was a resolution it passed on Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy.
• Founding conference of Indian National Trade Union Congress(INTUC)  was presided over by Sardar Vallabhai Patel in 1947.

• His biggest contribution to India was his role in the integration of the over 500 princely states with India during 1947-49.

• He is also remembered as the Patron Saint of India’s civil servants for establishing modern All-India services.

• He is also called the Unifier of India.

• Sardar Patel was conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1991.