Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the nation in paying tribute to the 'Iron Man of India' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 71st death anniversary.
"Remembering Sardar Patel on his Punya Tithi. India will always be grateful to him for his monumental service, his administrative skills and the untiring efforts to unite our nation," PM Modi said in a tweet.
Recalling Sardar Patel's contribution in ensuring the unity and integrity of the country, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu called him the 'Unifier of India', highlighting that the illustrious leader cared deeply for the welfare of the farmers and worked incessantly for the uplift of the downtrodden.
"Sardar Patel played a monumental role in the peaceful integration of over 560 princely states. His legendary life continues to inspire every Indian to work towards strengthening the unity & integrity of the nation and eliminating social evils from society," said Naidu.
Remembering the iconic freedom fighter, 'Iron Man of India' #SardarVallabhbhaiPatel on his Punya Tithi today. He was a towering statesman and an illustrious leader who cared deeply for the welfare of the farmers and worked incessantly for the uplift of the downtrodden. pic.twitter.com/d6wKfEab64
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) December 15, 2021
Remembering the iconic freedom fighter, Home Minister Amit Shah said that his thoughts will always guide the country.
हर भारतीय के हृदय में बसने वाले देश की एकता व अखंडता के अद्भुत शिल्पी लौह पुरुष सरदार पटेल जी के जीवन का क्षण-क्षण भारत में एक राष्ट्र का भाव जागृत करने हेतु समर्पित रहा। उनके विचार सदैव देश का मार्गदर्शन करते रहेंगे।
ऐसे महान युगपुरुष व राष्ट्रीय गौरव के चरणों में कोटिशः वंदन। pic.twitter.com/OkW7sRK57p
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 15, 2021
"Every moment in the life of Iron Man Sardar Patel, the wonderful architect of unity and integrity of the country who resides in the heart of every Indian, was dedicated to awakening the spirit of one nation in India," tweeted Shah.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to Sardar Patel.
"Tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his punyatithi. His courageous efforts towards uniting India into one strong entity continue to motivate millions across India. He also provided remarkable leadership to India's freedom movement," said Singh.
Tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his punyatithi. His courageous efforts towards uniting India into one strong entity continue to motivate millions across India. He also provided remarkable leadership to India’s freedom movement.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 15, 2021
Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and also for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri called Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel an "iron willed architect" and unifier of independent India.
"The Iron Man was a leading stalwart of India's freedom movement who later guided India's integration into a modern nation," he tweeted.
BJP president JP Nadda recalled that it was due to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's efforts that hundreds of princely states united with the country.
"Every Indian will always be indebted to his contribution in the making of India. Tributes to Iron Man Sardar Sahab on his death anniversary," said Nadda.
Meanwhile, as a tribute to late General Bipin Rawat, Prasar Bharati will rebroadcast Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture 2021 delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff today on All India Radio and also on DD News.
