Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
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= The architect of Modern India = | = The architect of Modern India = | ||
Revision as of 13:36, 13 February 2017
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
A profile
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s legal acumen turned liquor into water for client
The Times of India Parth Shastri,TNN | Oct 31, 2014
AHMEDABAD: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legendary gift of gab which convinced the rulers of various princely states to accede to India was also equally fruitful in the courts of law where he would secure the release of his client by putting even judges on the back foot.
In one case, Sardar, using his unmatched brilliance and acumen, proved that the liquor inside the two bottles seized from his bootlegger client had 'turned into' water.
Ravji Patel, a freedom fighter and contemporary of Sardar and Mahatma Gandhi, documents the wit of the Iron Man as a lawyer in his book, 'Hind na Sardar', published by Navjivan Press. The author doesn't mince words while stating that Sardar in his early career wanted name and fame and thus fought cases defending accused in criminal cases.
An incident that took place at the Borsad court is especially interesting. Sardar Patel was approached by a bootlegger arrested by the excise department. When the case came up for hearing in the court, Sardar insisted that the seized bottles of liquor be examined by doctors. At the time of the second hearing, to everyone's surprise, the medical report stated that the bottles contained only plain water.
The inspector who arrested the bootlegger was befuddled. After the accused was released, the cop approached Sardar for explanation. The lawyer confided in him that the magistrate was habituated to consuming liquor and was known to often target seized bottles, later replacing the liquor with water. He was thus sure of this turn of events," the book reads.
Milestones in the Sardar’s life
The Times of India, Nov 02 2015
Sardar passes Std 10
This may sound like a horror story for parents today but the iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, passed Class 10 at the age of 22. Today, at this age most youngsters proceed to colleges for higher studies and some even opt for employment. Patel travelled to attend schools in Nadiad, Petlad and Borsad.
Elected councillor
On January 5, 1917 Sardar was elected councillor of the Ahmedabad municipality for the first time. He had contested from Dariyapur seat then, and had won by just one vote. Even in Sardar's first election, he had courted controversy. A candidate MM Narmawalla had petitioned before district judge BC Kennedy to raise objections to Sardar's election. Sardar won the case in the end. In 1924, Sardar was elected president of Ahmedabad municipality.
Sets up India's third public health lab
India had just two public health laboratories in Pune and in Karachi in 1921. Sardar felt the need for more such laboratories that could track diseases and keep a check on quality of drinking water supply and food supplies. The third laboratory was set up within Dudheshwar waterworks compound at Shahibaugh. By 1927, before Sardar left active political life in Ahmedabad municipality, nearly 50 per cent of the city had access to piped drinking water and drainage.
Mooted women's representation
Sardar happened to be the first to pitch for removing “sexual disqualification“ in the district municipal Act. By this Act, women were barred from contesting elections as per Section 15(1)(C). A resolution was passed in this regard in the Ahmedabad municipality general board on February 13, 1913. Sardar had argued that keeping women out of the elected body was equivalent to eliminating the representation of half of the urban population. In 1926, Section 15(1)(c) was abolished.
The first Gujarati typewriter
The assembly of the first Gujarati typewriter was commissioned by Sardar in 1924. For this, the Ahmedabad municipality had approached Remington company and paid it Rs 4,000 for putting together the first typewriter in the Gujarati language.
His RTE formula
While today our government grapples with implementation of Right To Education Act in our schools, in 1917 Sardar had convinced the governor, Lord Willingdon, that the government should provide free and compulsory education for children in Bombay presidency. After being elected councillor of Ahmedabad municipality, he ensured passing of Bombay Primary Education Bill in Bombay legislative council.
Founding of VS Hospital
After seeking help from nagarsheths Vadilal Sarabhai and Chunilal Chinoy for construction of VS Hospital, Sardar wrote to the provincial government for a grant of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in April 1927. Patel had earlier suggested that the city civil hospital should be under municipal control. But this suggestion was rejected. It was then that Vadilal Sarabhai and Chunilal Chinoy contributed for constructing a new hospital and a 21 acre plot was earmarked for it.
Ten essential facts
The Times of India, October 31, 2015
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The Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, passed Class 10 at the age of 22. Today, at this age most youngsters proceed to colleges for higher studies and some even opt for employment. Patel travelled to attend schools in Nadiad, Petlad and Borsad.
2.
On January 5, 1917 Sardar was elected councillor of the Ahmedabad municipality for the first time. He had contested from Dariyapur seat then, and had won by just one vote. In 1924, Sardar was elected president of Ahmedabad municipality.
3. India had just two public health laboratories - in Pune and in Karachi in 1921. Sardar felt the need for more such laboratories that could track diseases and keep a check on quality of drinking water supply and food supplies. The third laboratory was set up within Dudheshwar waterworks compound at Shahibaugh.
4.
When corruption charges were pressed against Sardar Patel and 18 other councillors in Ahmedabad municipality, he sought Jinnah's help. In April 28, 1922, a case of 'misrepresentation of funds' worth Rs 1.68 lakh was registered in Ahmedabad District Court (ADC). Sardar successfully defended the case in ADC. But he was dragged to the Bombay High Court in 1923. Jinnah led a panel of lawyers and fought for Sardar Patel, winning the case.
5.
The assembly of the first Gujarati typewriter was commissioned by Sardar in 1924. For this, the Ahmedabad municipality had approached Remington company and paid it Rs 4,000 for putting together the first typewriter in the Gujarati language.
6. Sardar happened to be the first to pitch for removing "sexual disqualification" in the district municipal Act.
By this Act, women were barred from contesting elections as per Section 15(1)(C). A resolution was passed in this regard in the Ahmedabad municipality general board on February 13, 1913. Sardar had argued that keeping women out of the elected body was equivalent to eliminating the representation of half of the urban population. In 1926, Section 15(1)(c) was abolished. 7. After seeking help from nagarsheths Vadilal Sarabhai and Chunilal Chinoy for construction of VS Hospital, Sardar wrote to the provincial government for a grant of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in April 1927. Patel had earlier suggested that the city civil hospital should be under municipal control. But this suggestion was rejected. It was then that Vadilal Sarabhai and Chunilal Chinoy contributed for constructing a new hospital and a 21 acre plot was earmarked for it.
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8. Sardar Patel was against anybody - including his close kin - using his name for profit.
Sardar was so strict about this that he had once told his son, Dahyabhai, to stay away from Delhi if possible, so long as he (Sardar) was in the national capital. "Don't misuse my name. Don't use my name for any favours in Delhi. Till I am in Delhi, stay away from it as far as you can," Sardar had written to his son.
9. In April 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then a Home member of the interim government, started his tour in Gujarat asking people to maintain calm and communal harmony. There had been a series of skirmishes.
In one meeting in Ahmedabad, Patel expressed his anxiety, "A snake grows a new skin to take place of the worn out one it sheds." Sardar further added, "We may become politically sovereign, but internally we lack the attributes of a free people, such as equality, cohesion and national character." He asked, "Has India organized a new state and society to replace the old order which she wants to discard?"
10. Sardar Patel was completely against building statues and memorials. If he were alive today, he would have opposed the state government's project under which a Rs3,000 crore sculpture of the Iron Man himself is coming up at Kevadiya near the Narmada dam. The 'Statue of Unity' will be the world's tallest structure of this kind when completed.
Did not want family to exploit his name
The Times of India, Nov 02 2015
Parth Shastri Iron will against use of name Sardar opposed
Sardar Patel warned his son, Dahyabhai, never to use his name for personal gains
Sardar Patel was against anybody — including his close kin — using his name for profit. Sardar was so strict about this that he had once told his son, Dahyabhai, to stay away from Delhi if possible, so long as he (Sardar) was in the national capital.
This may sound unbelievable at a time when cast-based reservations are being demanded in his name or when the state government is building his statue to show itself as the legitimate heir of his political legacy.
His grandson, Bipin Patel has written in his memoirs that Sardar Patel had told Dahyabhai in a letter written in the late 1940s, that if he is unable to sustain himself, he could go to him in Delhi.
“Don’t misuse my name. Don’t use my name for any favours in Delhi. Till I am in Delhi, stay away from it as far as you can,” Sardar had written to his son Professor Ramji Savaliya, director of BJ Institute of Learning and Research, said Rajmohan Gandhi, in his biography of Sardar Patel, had also mentioned a similar incident involving Dahyabhai and the Iron Man.
“In 1945, Sardar once asked his son to leave his room when he went to seek the former’s per mission to exchange a Karachi-based company for land left by a Muslim who had and Research, said Rajmohan Gandhi, in his biography of Sardar Patel, had also mentioned a similar incident involving Dahyabhai and the Iron Man.
“In 1945, Sardar once asked his son to leave his room when he went to seek the former's per mission to exchange a Karachi-based company for land left by a Muslim who had gone over to Pakistan,” said Savaliya.
“It was his concern that his position could be exploited by nefarious elements and his family might not be spared. Both his children — Dahyabhai and Maniben — became MPs but they lived by the standard set for himself by Sardar Patel,” said Savaliya. Savaliya said that Sardar had himself set high standards for public servants. “Even today, Sardar’s family has largely stayed out of politics,” said Savaliya. family might not be spared. Both his children -Dahyabhai and Maniben -became MPs but they lived by the standard set for himself by Sardar Patel,“ said Savaliya. Savaliya said that Sardar had himself set high standards for public servants. “Even today , Sardar's family has largely stayed out of politics,“ said Savaliya.
Jinnah fought for Sardar
The Times of India, Nov 02 2015
Sardar Patel and Jinnah may seem as two opposite ends of a spectrum. But and Jinnah may seem as two opposite ends of a spectrum. But there was a time when Sardar had sought Jinnah’s help in city, when corruption charges were pressed against him and 18 other councillors in Ahmedabad municipality. In April 28, 1922, a case of ‘misrepresentation of funds’ worth Rs 1.68 lakh was registered in Ahmedabad District Court (ADC). Sardar successfully defended the case in ADC. But he was dragged to the Bombay High Court in 1923. Jinnah led a panel of lawyers and fought for Sardar Patel. Sardar finally won the case.
Opposed memorials, statues
The Times of India, Nov 02 2015
Kapil Dave
If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were alive today, he would have opposed the state government’s project under which a Rs3,000 croresculpture of the Iron Man himself is coming up at Kevadiya near the Narmada dam. The ‘Statue of Unity’ will be the world’s tallest structure of this kind when completed. Soon after Mahatma Gandhi’s death on January 30, 1948, Sardar Patel wrote a long article on February 22, 1948, in the 'Harijan Bandhu' newspaper on the enthusiasm for constructing temples, statues and mem o r i a l s dedicated to Gandhiji after his death, says city based historian Rizwan Kadri. Quoting Bapu himself, Sardar Patel appealed to people that Gandhiji — who was for ‘rachnatmak karya’ (creative public service) — was against waste of public money on temples, statues and memorials of leaders.
Hence, it would be not appro death on January 30, 1948, Sardar Patel wrote a long article on Febru ary 22, 1948, in the 'Harijan Bandhu' news paper on the en thusiasm for constructing temples, stat ues and me morials dedicated to Gandhiji after his death, says city based his torian Rizwan Kadri. Quoting Bapu himself, Sardar Patel ap pealed to people that Gandhiji wh o w a s f o r `rachnatmak kar ya' (creative public service) -was against waste of public money on temples, lic money on temples, statues and memori als of leaders.
Hence, it would be not appro priate to build such memorials for him, he said.
“I express my displeasure over the ongoing attempts to build temples in the name of Gandhiji and statues for worshiping or a kind of memorial,” Sardar Patel wrote. “I believe Gandhiji would have felt pained at such things. He had expressed his thoughts on this issue in clear words several times. So I appeal to all to stop thinking of building such memorials or anything like that immediately.” Sadar Patel said that that the best memorial to Gandhiji — and one which he would have approved — is to follow his ideals and carry forward his creative public service. “The best way is to keep him alive in the temple of our hearts forever, said Sardar.
Are we really free?
The Times of India, Nov 02 2015
In April 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then a Home member of the interim government, started his tour in Gujarat asking people to maintain calm and communal harmony. There had been a series of skirmishes. In one meeting in Ahmedabad, Patel expressed his anxiety, “A snake grows a new skin to take place of the worn out one it sheds.“
Sardar further added, “We may become politically sovereign, but internally we lack the attributes of a free people, such as equality, cohesion and national character.“
He asked, “Has India organized a new state and society to replace the old order which she wants to discard?“
The architect of Modern India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the great social leaders of India. He played a crucial role during the freedom struggle of Indian and was instrumental in the integration of 565 princely states into the Bharat Union. Immediately after independence he played a vital role in reorganizing administrative structure of India; for he established the two All India levels services namely, the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service. He was the Chairman of three important committees which recommended for provisions for the Indian Constitution, namely: (a) the Fundamental Rights’ Committee (b) the State Constitution Committee (c) the Committee for Minorities. Partition of undivided India into two nations created serious problems of law and order. Patel took these problems head on and resolved them with amazing felicity. Migration of population and relief and rehabilitation of those who were coming from the parts of newly established nation of Pakistan were the most daunting of challenges facing Sardar Patel. Once the border lines were established, about 14.5 million people crossed over to the nation of their choice.
In brief, the accomplishments made by Sardar Patel in a short period of less than four years have no parallel in the entire Indian history. Perhaps such examples are not available even in world history. Dedication for the nation, sincerity and vision were his hallmarks. Whenever and wherever necessary, he took lightening decisions with great foresight, keeping national interest first and foremost. Hence the opening sentence of this presentation that without Sardar Patel the history of contemporary India would be incomplete.
The most herculean and important task that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel accomplished was the vast political integration of Bharat, which is unprecedented in the annals of India’s long and chequered history.
Mountbatten announced the independence of the country along with its partition into two –India and Pakistan on June 3, 1947. This partition was slated to be completed by August 15, 1947. The most important and challenging task before India then was the geographical integration of the country. Around 565 odd and scattered princely states consisting of total area of 6, 00, 000 square miles were to be merged into the Union of India in a short period of just 72 days, i.e. by August 15, 1947 and that too in a volatile socio-political situation. There were four major problems that India faced at that point of time:
- Newly created Pakistan’s policy of grabbing as many states as possible by taking advantage of flux situation was a great threat to India’s territorial integrity. Pakistan pined for States of Junagarh and Hyderabad most obtrusively. Jinnah’s move of bargaining with the rulers of states, especially of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, was also inimical to India’s interests;
- Separatist forces which desired India to be a weak nation had started so-called people’s movements in the name of religion and regional identity. This was most evident from incidents in Punjab and north-eastern parts of the country;
- Most of the officials in the higher echelons of government services were English who had already left for their native place. Therefore, administration was inefficient and phlegmatic at the most critical hours of the nascent freedom; and
- False vanity of some of the rulers of states to maintain their own separate kingdoms, as evident from their moves and misdeeds, was impeding the process of integration.
- In such a situation, seventy-two years old Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, without caring much of his health, took the challenge of a gigantic task with indomitable courage and firm determination. He asserted emphatically, ”Now, when we have arrived at the door of long-awaited freedom, we cannot take any more risk for our nation –cannot compromise for its unity and integrity.”
- He worked day and night and finally accomplished the much-awaited task of political integration of India in a short period, that too largely in an atmosphere of harmony, co-ordination and co-operation. The name of VP Menon is worthy of mention here as member of Patel’s dedicated team of workers. It was undoubtedly a task that has no parallel in the world history.
Even after the division that carved out a new nation Pakistan out of it, India remains largest politically integrated land mass ever in her long history of ups and downs. For this, undoubtedly, the credit goes exclusively to the mature and razor sharp statesmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The State of Junagarh came within the fold of the Indian Union due to Sardar’s able and exemplary non-violence-based diplomacy while the State of Hyderabad became a part of India on sheer strength of his unwavering political will. The State of Jammu and Kashmir became part of India only due Sardar Patel’s policy of implementing political decisions into quick action.
India must be a strong nation and it should be safe internally and externally, both. Each and every citizen should contribute towards unity, integrity and development of the nation. Everyone must get equal opportunity to rise. Along with this, there should be no compromise with nation’s unity and security. All activities related to separatism, segregation and regionalism are dangerous. They should not be allowed. Rather, they should be met with firm and speedy action. All efforts should be made towards this end by overcoming of differences of ideas and perceptions with the spirit of national unity. This was Sardar’s socio-political approach. In his own words, ”No one would be permitted to try to damage the unity, security and integration of India. People and organizations indulging in separatist activities should control themselves and get into the mainstream as soon as possible. If they do not do so then there would be no hesitation in taking hard steps against them.”
On the basis of his nationalist ideas Sardar Patel could integrate India, which would be remembered by his compatriots for long time to come. Moreover, we can learn a lot from his ideas and work-ethos to keep Bharat united and find our due place at international level, and trough this to contribute to peace and prosperity all over the world.
(The authors are a J&k based researcher and practising advocate in J&K high court.)
