NEW DELHI: Mahatma Gandhi seemed incomplete without Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as he played an integral role in the freedom struggle launched by the father of the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here Friday.
"Sardar Patel joined Mahatma Gandhi in the integration of farmers in the freedom struggle. He (Patel) played an integral role in the Dandi yatra," Modi said while addressing the nation on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel being observed as 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'.
"Mahatma Gandhi seems incomplete without Sardar Patel. It was a unique partnership that strengthened the struggle for independence," he added.
A 'Run for Unity' and pledge marked India's first home minister's birth anniversary Oct 31.
The country can never forget Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contribution in uniting the country, Prime Minister said.
"The British wanted India to break into pieces but Sardar Patel unified the 550 provinces into one country," Modi said.
"Through his skill, vision and patriotism Sardar Patel integrated the nation. We can never forget his contribution in uniting free India," Modi added.
Narendra Modi Friday said Sardar Patel’s life was a journey of “service to the motherland” and he was “truly the architect of modern India”.
“Sardar Patel’s life is a journey of deep-rooted courage, dedication & service to the Motherland. He is truly the architect of Modern India,” Modi tweeted on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.
The Prime Minister said people should rise over differences of creed, community, language.
"Our culture and legacy is of unity in diversity. Let us rise over differences of creed, community, language," Modi said.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is being celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
He added: "Unity in diversity is the uniqueness of our country...so the country should move forward with this feeling of unity."
The Prime Minister said Friday that the country "should not divide history and legacy according to our ideologies".
"The country which forgets history can never create history, so for a country filled with aspirations, a country whose youth has dream, we should not forget our personalities of history.... country should not divide history and legacy according to our ideologies," Modi said.
"Today is the inspiring day when we remember Sardar Patel," he added.
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