Posted by New Delhi: National Civil Services Day is observed every year on April 21. The day is dedicated to civil servants, allowing them to renew their commitment to public service and excellence in their work. The chosen date holds significance as it was on April 21, 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first civil servants in Independent India at the Metcalf House. His inspiring speech referred to civil servants as the ‘steel frame of India’.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a prominent role in India’s independence struggle. He was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, serving from August 15, 1947, to December 15, 1950. He was often called Sardar, not just in India but across the world as well.
Let us look at some lesser-known facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the ‘Iron Man of India’.
Lesser-known facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Non-Cooperation Movement
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played an essential role in the Non-Cooperation Movement, a significant chapter in India’s struggle for independence. He travelled tirelessly across western India, recruiting around 300,000 members and collecting over Rs 1.5 million for the party fund. His dedication and efforts were instrumental in the movement’s success, marking a significant step towards India’s independence.
Nagpur Satyagraha
During Mahatma Gandhi’s imprisonment, Sardar Patel led the Satyagraha movement in 1923. This movement was a powerful protest against the British law that banned the hoisting of the Indian flag. Patel’s leadership in this significant event underscores the gravity of his actions.
Bismarck of India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is often called the ‘Bismarck of India’, drawing a parallel to Otto von Bismarck, who united Germany in the 1860s. This comparison underscores the magnitude of Patel’s achievement in successfully uniting 565 semi-independent princely states with the Indian Union, a feat crucial in modern India’s formation.
Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Sardar Patel played a significant role in India’s independence, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). His vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping the country’s administrative framework, earning him the title of ‘Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants’.
The title ‘Sardar’
In 1928, the women of the Bardoli Satyagraha conferred the title ‘Sardar’ on Vallabhbhai Patel for the first time. The title ‘Sardar’, meaning chief or leader, was a testament to his leadership and the respect he commanded. During India’s independence movement, Bardoli Satyagraha was a significant episode of civil disobedience, and the women’s decision to confer this title on Patel was a powerful symbol of their recognition of his leadership.
Turning point in the independence movement
Sardar Patel’s journey to becoming the ‘Iron Man of India’ was remarkable. Initially aspiring to be a barrister, he gained fame as a criminal lawyer upon his return from England in 1913. However, a chance meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 changed the course of his life. Inspired by Gandhi’s principles and the call for Indian independence, Patel shifted his focus from law to the freedom struggle. This transformation began his journey as one of the most prominent politicians in India.
Bharat Ratna
Sardar Patel was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991, India’s highest civilian honour. Recognising his immense contributions, Patel became the first recipient to receive this award after his death.