New Delhi: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary.
“My humble tributes to the leader I admire most – the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – on his death anniversary,” Naidu said in a series of tweets.
“His contribution to the Indian freedom struggle and his unparalleled effort in integrating more than 560 princely States with the Indian Union will forever inspire every Indian,” Naidu added.
My humble tributes to the leader I admire most – the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – on his death anniversary.#SardarVallabhbhaiPatel pic.twitter.com/3c10uiPWCW
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) December 15, 2020
Modi also took to twitter and wrote, “I pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the iron man who laid the foundation of a strong and prosperous India on his death anniversary. Path shown by him will always inspire us to safeguard the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.”
सशक्त, सुदृढ़ और समृद्ध भारत की नींव रखने वाले लौह पुरुष सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल को उनकी पुण्यतिथि पर शत-शत नमन। उनके दिखाए मार्ग हमें देश की एकता, अखंडता और संप्रभुता की रक्षा करने के लिए सदा प्रेरित करते रहेंगे।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 15, 2020
Patel, a freedom fighter became India’s first home minister and deputy prime minister. He is credited for unifying hundreds of princely states with the Union of India following independence through a mix of persuasion, dialogue and even use of force when required.