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.
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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”..
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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..