Guwahati, Oct 31 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and said the country’s first home minister had played a “pivotal role in keeping the state a part of India”.
He also said Patel played a historic role in bringing together a nation fragmented into princely states during Independence.
“On Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, we remember the man who played a pivotal role in keeping Assam a part of India — Iron Man Sardar Vallabhai Patel,” Sarma said in a social media post.
He said that Patel “not only ensured Assam was not divided, but also brought together all princely states to form the country we today call India”.
“His role in building our nation will always be cherished by Indians. Tributes to Sardar Patel on his jayanti,” Sarma added.
Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat. He passed away on December 15, 1950.
Following India’s Independence in 1947, Patel became the country’s first home minister and was credited with integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union.
The Narendra Modi government has been observing October 31 as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or National Unity Day since 2014 to foster and reinforce its dedication to preserving and strengthening the unity, integrity and security of the nation. PTI SSG SSG NSD
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