The
Embassy celebrated the 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) at the Indian
Cultural Centre, Nur-Sultan on 31st October, 2016. The celebration began
with the inauguration of a photo exhibition on Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, followed by lighting of lamp and garlanding of the portrait of
Sardar Patel by Ambassador. It was followed by screening of feature
film “Sardar” by Ketan Mehta and documentary “A man of silence
– Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”, speeches by Ambassador Shri Harsh
Jain and Dr. Prashant Jamwal, Assistant Professor at the Nazarbayev
University.
.
In
his address, Ambassador said that Patel’s life story exemplifies
the sheer power of will, hard work and sincerity. He described
Sardar Patel as a self-made man who scripted an illustrious life for
himself - first as a lawyer and then as a freedom fighter and
nation-builder amid extremely trying circumstances. He underscored
that Patel’s heroic efforts to mobilize farmers to launch a
successful “no tax campaign” earned him the honorific title of
“Sardar”, meaning the “Chief”. He emphasized that Sardar
Patel was a great strategic thinker with unflinching commitment to
nation-building, and his formidable powers of persuasion and
diplomacy, combined with firmness and judicious use of force,
integrated the 565 princely states with India following India’s
independence from the British. He stated that this monumental feat
earned him mass adoration and gratitude, cementing his reputation as
the “Iron Man of India”..
.
Ambassador
made a presentation on the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to be held in
Bengaluru from January 7-9, 2017 urging the Overseas Indians to
register for the event. He awarded prizes to the winners of essay
competition on “Contribution of Sardar Patel in Unifying India”
to Mr. P. Jeya Pazham (first prize), Ms. Anash Ramazanova (second)
and Mr. Mukesh (third). The programme ended with buffet dinner..
