Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
All throughout the history of our great nation, there have been many leaders who left their mark with their invaluable contribution. I could very proudly name many such leaders starting from our very own “Bapu”, or Chacha Nehru or Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. But one such great leader whom I would like to talk about today was arguably the most powerful leader who followed the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and gave shape to form ONE robust union from numerous small & big princely states. The robust union whom we call “INDIA” – our great nation. He was the architect to bring unite people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Junagadh to Guwahati to form our great nation. Respected Teachers & Friends, I am talking about none other than The Iron Man of India, who was called as “SARDAR” respectfully by everybody although his real name was Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel. He was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, British India. He was a lawyer by profession before he joined the congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. He and Bapu were the best of friends. He fought relentlessly the freedom struggle with Mahatma Gandhi and made his presence felt during the non co-operative movement. He went on to become the president of Congress Party and led the freedom struggle aggressively under the guidance of mahatma Gandhi. Just before independence he stepped down from the post of president at the request of Mahatma Gandhi, although all state units of the Congress Party wanted him to continue. He was the strong leader who picked up the challenge of integrating all princely states and territories including difficult one like Hyderabad and Junagadh and form our great nation. He became the first Home Minister of Independent India and he is still considered to be the best Home Minister ever. Apart from his political victories he also empowered the poor milk farmers from Anand Region who were getting exploited at the hands of middleman cartels. He showed them the path to form