Victory to Mother India!
Let Sardar Sahib be immortal!
The young loved ones of Maha Bharati who
have come here in large numbers,
Today is 31st of October, the birthday
of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. 31st October is also commemorated as the death
anniversary of former Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi ji. On the birth anniversary
of the great Sardar Sahib, let us recall the efforts and the struggles of his
life for the freedom of the country. After independence, this great man through
his skill, struggles, strength and supreme devotion towards the nation had saved
the country on several occasions of crises at a time when the country was on
the verge of disintegration. He had not only steered the country out of
problems at the time of Independence but also contributed significantly to
consolidate the small princely kingdoms that wanted to secede from India after
the British had left. He did not let the intensions of the British to eliminate
the existence of India by dividing her into small states to succeed. This was
the long term vision of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel that integrated the country
into a single thread by using his diplomacy and strategies. No efforts were
made to acquaint the new generation with Sardar vallabh Bhai Patel. Attempts
have been made either to erase his name from the pages of history or to undermine
his role. But history is witness to the fact that whether some political
ideology or a political party gives him recognition or not, the young
generation doesn't want to forget him. As a result, when the opportunity to
serve came before us we commemorated the contributions made by that great
personality in a special manner and will continue with it in every generation.
Therefore, we have come up with this campaign - Run for Unity. I am glad
that the young generation is participating in Run for Unity with great
enthusiasm.
Once the country's first President, Dr.
Rajendra Prasad, had said something which had compelled us to think. He had
said -"Today, we have the name 'India' to refer to as our country. Today
we have a country called 'India'. This was made possible only because of Sardar
Vallabh Bhai Patel's statesmanship and tremendous hold on the
administration." He had further said, "Despite this, we have
forgotten Sardar Sahib." The first President of India had expressed this
pain over forgetting Sardar Sahib's contributions.
India is a nation full of diversities.
We have time and again reiterated that the unique feature of our country is
unity in diversity. This has been our mantra. But unless we acknowledge this
speciality of our country and feel proud of it, this will remain just a slogan.
We would not be able to use it for nation building. Every Indian can feel proud
of the fact that India has embraced every cult of the world, every tradition
and every ideology in some or the other form. It has a variety of dialects,
dressing styles, food habits and beliefs. Despite this diversity we have learnt
from our traditions to be united for the country for its welfare. Today, even
the people from the same traditions and cultural backgrounds are intolerant
towards one another and can even kill one another. In the 21st century some
people are propagating violence in the world just to place one's beliefs as
superior to the others'. On these occasions India can proudly say that we are
that country, we are the Indians who respect every belief, tradition and
culture of the world. This is our legacy and strength. This is our path of a
bright future. This is our responsibility. No one can underestimate the love of
a brother and a sister. For the brother and the sister to sacrifice for each
other is a natural tendency. Yet, in order to preserve the sanctity of this
ritual, we celebrate Raksha-Bandhan. We try to enhance the relationship of the
brother and the sister every year. Similarly, despite the country's unity it is
necessary to reinforce the nation's cultural heritage. It is necessary to
recall the Mantra of Unity again and again. It is essential to remember the
pledge for the unity of the country again and again.
The country is vast. Generations keep
changing. Not every incident of history is known. Therefore, it is necessary to
echo the mantra of unity and search for the path to unity in a country with so
much diversity. Our country should remain one and united. It's the responsibility
of 125 crore Indians to secure the unity and integrity of the country given to
us by Sardar Sahib. Therefore we should think about Sardar Patel by reminding
ourselves of his contribution to the country's unity. Every generation should
know the way he had integrated the country. Today, on 31st October, we are
celebrating the birth anniversary of Sardar Sahib. Eight years later we will be
celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Sahib. What new example of Unity
shall we set on the completion of 150th birth anniversary of Sardar
Sahib? How can we promote this feeling of Unity within the people? We will have
to move ahead with these resolutions.
The year 2022 will mark 75 years of
independence. Innumerable patriots such as Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru,
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel had lived and died
for the country. By the year 2022 when 75 years of independence will be
completed we should take a resolution in our hearts as well as try to fulfil
that resolution. Every Indian should have a resolution. Every Indian should
make great efforts to fulfil those resolutions. That resolution should be for the
welfare of the society, of the country and for enhancing the country's pride.
We should associate ourselves with such a resolution. I believe that the need
of the hour is to take a resolution today on the birth anniversary of the great
freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the year 2022.
You all have come in large numbers and
got involved with this event enthusiastically. All the youngsters across the
country also are associated with it. I urge you all to take an oath on
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, let us take an oath
which I am presenting before you and you will repeat after me with a resolution
inside your minds. You will repeat after me by putting forward your right hand:
“I solemnly affirm that I will dedicate myself to maintain the unity, integrity
and sovereignty of the country and will also put all my efforts to spread this
message among my countrymen. I take this pledge in the spirit of unity of my
country which could be made possible by the foresightedness and the
contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I sincerely take the pledge to make
my contribution to ensure the internal security of my country.”
Victory to Mother India!
Victory to Mother India!
Victory to Mother India!
Thanks a lot!
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AKT/AK/IG/MG/AK