Chandigarh, October 31 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, commemorated the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on National Unity Day, offering his respects by paying floral tributes during the National Unity Day oath-taking ceremony organized in Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on Tuesday. During this, he also conveyed a message to society to walk the path shown by him.
He expressed that October 31 is celebrated nationwide as the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his significant role in the fight for independence. Post-independence, he undertook the unparalleled task of integrating the country.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that at the time of the nation's independence, the country was divided into several princely states. Although the British granted India independence, they left the decision of the 565 princely states to their discretion, whether they wished to be part of a unified constitution or remain independent and form their own constitution. At that time, Sardar Patel, with his acumen, successfully integrated 562 princely states and achieved unity, he added.
Like Sardar Patel, the Prime Minister also worked towards unifying the Nation
The Chief Minister highlighted that among the 565 princely states, only three refused to come under a common constitution. Consequently, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was entrusted with the responsibility of convincing two of these states, while Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was given the charge of another. Sardar Patel successfully persuaded both states to accede under one constitution. However, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru couldn’t persuade one state (Jammu and Kashmir) and had to accord a separate status by implementing Article 370. For years, Jammu and Kashmir did not become an integral part of the country. Whenever the nation's parliament passed a law unless their assembly agreed, the law did not apply to Jammu and Kashmir, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that after a long time, the Nation got a Prime Minister like Sh. Narendra Modi, who without any controversy, ended Article 370 and 35-A, integrating Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India, in the thread of unity, he added.
He further said that a magnificent memorial has been built in Gujarat, commemorating the unparalleled contribution of Sardar Patel towards the unity and integrity of India. The world's tallest statue, Statue of Unity, has been erected; symbolizing unity for future generations, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The All India Services also represents the nation's unity
The Chief Minister said that Sardar Patel had said about the Indian administrative system and the role of the IAS, that the IAS is the steel framework of our country. These officers leave their families and serve the other states and regions of the country with dedication, playing a crucial role in maintaining the Nation's Unity. Otherwise, some groups with separatist ideologies attempt to break the Nation, he added.
On National Unity Day, the Chief Minister administered the oath
In the oath ceremony, the Chief Minister administered the oath of the country's unity and integrity to the officers and employees present in the program - “I solemnly pledge that I dedicate myself to preserve the unity, integrity and security of the nation and also 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.”
Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sh. TVSN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Fisheries Department, Sh. Ankur Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Archives Department, Sh. Ashok Khemka, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Sh. Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Commissioner and Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Smt. Amneet P Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang, Director, Secondary Education, Sh. Anshaj Singh, Director, Higher Education, Sh. Rajiv Rattan, Additional Director (Admn.), Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Sh. Vivek Kalia and Joint Director (Press), Dr. Sahib Ram Godara and other officers and employees also remained present on this occasion.