SARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL- IRON MAN OF INDIA
===========================================
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel can be compared with the great German Hiro Bishmark who integrated divided Germany. Similarly Sardar integrated Indian native states in the union of India. He was a master politician like Chanakya of 350-275 BC who assisted Chandragupta Maurya to established the Great Maurya Empire in India.
Sardar Patel was very popular, intelligent and foresighted leader with high character. However he was iron man of India with very human heart. He use to look after the family of followers very well.
One incident my father C R Desai told me related to Sardar Patel. He was then City Engineer of Ahmadabad and Sardar Patel was then helm of the affairs of Ahmadabad Municipality. My father was not happy with the situation prevailing in the Ahmadabad Municipality. He wanted that he should be permitted to return to PWD who landed his services to Ahmadabad Municipality. He asked for his time and Sardar immediately gave him time. He met him personally. Sardar started asking him about the family and how they are doing? before he said anything. My father was very much touched emotionally. He further said in a very soft voice' I know what is bothering you but we have to work for our people and we require your services for the same. My father was very much surprised that he knew for which purpose he asked his time and his answer was also ready with him. he simply followed his mandate. This shows that Sardar Patel knew very well how to touch once emotion for getting the work done. That was Sardar!
Sardar Patel was very warm with all communities including Muslim. The three Muslim Nawabs of Junaghadh, Mangrol, and Manvadar in Gujarat wanted to join with Pakistan and they have to leave their states against popular will. Every one expected that Sardar Patel will not allow them to leave but Sardar showed all courtesy to them and issued orders to allow them to go Pakistan. This shows he had no ill will against any communities.
He was against reservation but he wanted reservation for Economically Backward Communities. Therefore he saw that some of the Economically Backwards Communities were also included in the reservation.
He had also foresight like Chanakya and Expected 1962 Chines attack on India well before and he warned Pandit Jawaherlal Nehru in advance
Sardar patel always thought of National interest leaving the petty things like Cast, Communalism, and Sectarian feelings. He was a leader with analytical mind and quick decision. He was never driven by circumstances but he always droves over them. You can rarely find such patriotic leader with high character.
Bharat Desai
--------------------------------