It is really difficult to even imagine that, how a nation with such a diverse culture, different people, with different ideologies, languages, customs and traditions, would stand so DISTINCT from the world, in terms of growth and prosperity and the only reason behind this is nothing, but our UNITY. Despite being so different from one another we all as citizens have one thing in common, and that is the pride that we feel when we say ?MERA BHARAT MAHAN? this beloved country of ours has unity with none much uniformity and variety without the slightest of fragmentation, and in any case , strength and prosperity comes where there’s unity. There is no country like India, quite as diverse, multi-lingual and multi-cultural, yet bound together by the traditional bounds of shared traditions, culture and values.
But, you see it wasn?t always like what we see today, India that today seems to be an united country was once a mixture of different numerous states, governments, colonies and princely kingdoms, also these individual states, governments and kingdoms had their own currency, and rulers. There were mainly around 560 different princely states and 17 provinces. Organization of these scattered individuals became a necessity after the independence, because most of them were as small as a few villages and thus had no power of their own and also the country after independence (the beginning of independence) wasn?t controlled by anyone, the British had just gave the control in the hands of India?s own government formed by the dominant party of that time with the support of all the strong leaders and politicians and the situation was chaotic because of the partition too. Being a newly independent country our leaders rushed to solve this issue and a committee was set by the government with SARDAR VALLABH BHAI PATEL, he is also known as the Iron Man of India. He is remembered as a really strong and dynamic insurgent of India. He had actively contributed to the Indian Freedom Movement. Sardar Patel was one among the foremost eminent and prominent leaders of the Indian Freedom struggle. He has immense contribution in bringing Independence to our country. A meeting with M K Gandhi in October 1917 brought him closer to the Indian Independence movement. He joined Indian National Congress and his initial movements started with Satyagraha in Gujarat against British atrocities. Later he actively participated and volunteered the Quit India Movement in 1942 closely working with Gandhiji. He was appointed as committee?s chairperson and the sole focus of this committee was to convince these princely states to become a part of this newly independent India. Sardar Patel handled effectively the mixing of the princely states together with his diplomatic skills and foresightedness. The problem of amalgamating 560 independent states with a democratic self-governing India was difficult and delicate. But it had been essential to save lots of India from balkanization, once the Paramountcy of British Crown would lapse. Sardar Patel took charge of the states department in July 1947. He sensed the urgent and imperative need of the mixing of princely states. He followed an iron handed policy. He made it clear that he didn’t recognize the proper of any state to stay independent and in isolation, within India. Patel also appealed to the patriotic and national sentiments of the Princes and invited them to hitch the forming of a democratic constitution within the national interest. He persuaded them to surrender defense, foreign affairs and communication to the govt of India. He, by his tactics, broke the union of separatist princes. By Assumption , 1947 all except Hyderabad, Junagarh and Kashmir acceded to India. He thereafter carried three fold process of assimilation, centralization and unification of states. The states were amalgamated to make a union which union was merged with the Union of India. He handled the Junagarh and Hyderabad crisis as a seasoned statesman. Nawab of Junagarh wanted to accede to Pakistan. When the people revolted, Patel intervened. Indian Government took over the administration. Patel merged it with India by holding a plebiscite. Patel with an iron fisted hand subdued the Nizam. When the Nizam boasted anti-India feelings and set free a blood both by the Razakars (advisor) Patel decided upon military action . He ordered the army to March into Hyderabad. The Nizam surrendered and Hyderabad was acceded to India. Thus Sardar Patel ensured, by his calculated methods, the absorption of a mess of princely states into the Indian Union. Without a war , he secured the solidarity of the state . SARDAR PATEL is seen as the person responsible for the integration of this beautiful country. He was responsible for this EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT, he is the one who was successful in convincing all these princely states and provinces to become the part of their mother land, and again work to make it as it was, SONE KI CHIDIYA.
Recently, in 2016 our honorable prime minister SHRI NARENDRA MODI, has launched a scheme, with the same moto and name, for taking ahead of the legacy of Sardar Patel, the main purpose of the scheme is to complement and enhance the tradition and culture of the country. In addition, it launched an initiative to spice up the cultural connection between the states and union territories of the country. Furthermore, it helps people to reinforce their interaction with the people of a special region of the country. Moreover, it boosts the cultural connection between different parts of the country. Besides, it helps people to know the various culture that exists within the country closely. Besides, this may enhance the understanding of the culture and bonding among the people also it’ll strengthen the unity of the country.
Being the part of this beautiful and great country, makes me proud; proud of our ancestors, our freedom fighters, the heroes, and proud of the citizens, who have not forgotten their sacrifices. The slogan ?ek bharat, shreshta bharat” isn?t just a sentence, it is the felling, the emotion that resides in the heart of each and every resident of India.
BHARAT MATA KI JAY!
NAME: – Aayush A. Jain
ROLL NO: IC201202