Today is 31st October, the 144th birth anniversary of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. PM Modi is addressing an event at the Statue of Unity, Kevadia to commemorate the birth anniversary of Patel, who was the key to a unified India when he had brought together 562 princely states to form the Union of India after it gained independence from the British in 1947.
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PM Modi is addressing the commemorative event to honour Sardar Patel on his birthday at the Statue of Unity, Kevadia, Gujarat.
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Today’s date will also be known to the future generations as the day when the former state of Jammu and Kashmir ceased to exist and the two new Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were born.
On August 5, the government of India under PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had taken the historic decision of abrogating Article 370, thereby ending the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 had made it impossible for the citizens in the former state to enjoy the rights and benefits enjoyed by citizens in the rest of India.
PM Modi today dedicated the August 5 decision to Sardar Patel. PM Modi stated that centuries ago, it was Chanakya who had brought together hundreds of smaller provinces under one flag with his dream of a unified India. He also added that India’s unity and diversity is the biggest challenge for every rival of India but there is something about India’s people that has kept them standing strong.
Read: How Sardar Patel ensured Hyderabad’s inclusion in India
PM Modi also discussed the necessity of Article 370’s abrogation. He mentioned that terrorism in the valley has taken thousands of lives so far.
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“Sardar Patel had said that had the Kashmir issue been put on his shoulders, it wouldn’t have taken so long. Today, on his birth anniversary, I dedicate the historic decision taken on Aug 5 today to Sardar Patel”, said PM Modi.
PM Modi stated that from today, the two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Laddakh will walk towards a new future, on the birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India.
PM Modi further stated that he had promised to the people in J and K in August every benefit and facility that central government employees in every Union Territory enjoy. He added that the employees in J and K and Ladakh will now get the perks and raise accorded under the 7th pay commission.
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PM Modi further stated that the people of India will fight and defeat every attack against its unity. He also added that taking inspiration from Sardar Patel, his government is working towards empowering the emotional, economic and constitutional integration of India.