The High Commission of India and Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK celebrated National Unity Day on 31st October. The day was celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who played a major role in the integration of India. In the morning, a special Unity Human Chain was formed in front of India House and in the evening an interactive discussion was held along with the lighting of diyas, offering prayers and performances of traditional dance and music with tributes to the National Unity.
Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman of Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK said, “We are here to celebrate the birth of a remarkable man who shaped India as we see it today. If he would have not done what he did, we would be living back in the stories. With the vision of this man, today we are the number 5th economy in the world, 3rd in force, we have landed on Mars, Moon, we are the largest Covid vaccine producers, we export doctors, scientists, engineers and even Prime ministers! We must remain united if we want to enjoy respect in the world. Unity in diversity is the strength of India. In India, diversity is accepted, respected and celebrated with a great sense of equality.”
The High Commissioner of India to the UK Vikram Doraiswami said, “Today we can travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Kohima, it is Sardar Patel’s contribution. He completed the extraordinary journey of shaping the Nation in an extraordinary time. It was done without using force, it was done through the iron will. Sardar Patel had a vision of what an Independent India would look like. We must have to remember that without unity, there is no democracy and without democracy, there is no unity. We were the most unequal society in the world. We had no reason to believe in 1947 that we would succeed as a democratic country. It all became possible due to Sardar Patel. I urge the diaspora to keep the bond alive between you and India.”
Lord Dolar Popat said, “Sardar Patel was a man of extraordinary vision. He has done reformation of India soon after Independence. Today we are having one united India and that credit goes to Sardar Patel. We have continued to follow those values and that is why we are proud of India. In the UK also Indians have marked great success stories and this is because of the values which come from India and what we gain in this country. We have succeeded not because we live in India or Britain but because Britain and India Live in us.
Alpesh Patel, President of India League said, “Sardar Patel is truly the architect of modern united India. It is due to him, the brand India in every sector is rocking everywhere in the world.”
Pratap Singh Head of retail and SME banking UK and Europe ICICI said, “On this Unity Day we want to contribute to the community. If some vulnerable or senior citizen needs the help of doorstep service regarding Indian banking needs, ICICI bank will be very happy to support them within the 20-kilometre radius of our branches.
Maheshbhai Patel also offered tribute to Sardar Patel.
Welcome speech was given by the Secretary General of Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK Dr Krishna Pujara. Treasurer Deepak Bhai Patel welcomed the guests. A vote of thanks was given by Pravin G Patel, Vice Chairman of Sardar Patel Memorial Society UK.
Hirdesh Gupta read the unity pledge. One moment of silence was observed in the remembrance of the tragic incident in Morbi, Gujarat.
