United India is a strong India VP on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas

     New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday urged young people to carry forward the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, asserting that a united nation would always be a strong nation.

     Speaking at a ‘Sardar Katha’ event at his official residence to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Radhakrishnan said India’s enduring strength lay in its unity despite its diverse languages, traditions and regional backgrounds. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu was also present at the event.

     Radhakrishnan hailed Patel’s role in the political integration of more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union, citing the decisive actions taken for the liberation of Hyderabad state as a historic milestone.

     He said Patel was not only the unifier of the nation but also an architect of the Indian Constitution and a visionary behind India’s modern civil services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS).

     He also recalled how Patel moved from a Western lifestyle to one of traditional simplicity under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.

     Recounting an anecdote about Patel’s cultural identity, Radhakrishnan said that when a senior British officer asked him about his cultural background, Patel famously replied, “My culture is agriculture.”

     Separately, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid tribute to Patel at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan and urged young people to uphold national unity and integrity and contribute to building a developed India.

     Highlighting Patel’s vision, determination and organisational skills as a lasting inspiration for nation-building, Birla commemorated his legacy along with ministers, MPs, other dignitaries and students from various schools and colleges, who also paid their respects.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)