On October 31, India celebrated National Unity Day, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 

Contributions to Post-Independence India

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Home Minister and also the Deputy Prime Minister of India.
• He is known for integrating 562 princely states within the Indian Union with tact, vision, and statesmanship.
• He was the key force in establishing a strong foundation for the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service.
• He took a personal interest in initiating a restoration endeavor of the Somnath Temple in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
• Patel dealt ruthlessly with Pakistan’s efforts to invade Kashmir in September 1947.
• He organized multiple refugee camps in Punjab and Delhi, and later in West Bengal.

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Contribution to Constitution 

• As the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas of the Constituent Assembly, Patel was instrumental in shaping significant parts of the Constitution related to fundamental and minority rights. 
• He also highlighted that rights and duties are inherently linked, representing two sides of the same coin.  

Conclusion

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s leadership and vision were pivotal in shaping modern India. His contributions to national integration, the establishment of key administrative services, and the formulation of constitutional rights underscore his legacy. Celebrating National Unity Day honors Patel’s enduring influence in fostering unity and strengthening India’s democratic foundations.

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