National Museum on Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was inaugurated today in Ahmedabad.Speaking on the occasion, Shri Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and affirmed that if Sardar Patel had become the first Prime Minister of India, both the ‘Taqdeer’ and ‘Tasveer’ of India would be very different today. Narendra Modi lauded the contribution of Sardar Patel in uniting the nation and even shared an anecdote about his vision as a counselor in Ahmedabad’s Municipal Corporation where he had called for women reservation and effective urban planning in the early part of the 20th century.
In his speech, Shri Narendra Modi strongly urged those elements that have taken the path of the bomb and the gun to leave that path, join the mainstream and work towards development of society. Modi ji noted that while Sardar Patel worked towards unity of the nation, there were elements like Maoists and terrorists who are posing a challenge to this unity. “From the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel I would like to tell those who took arms that your path will not succeed. Violence neither helps society, nor did it help the nation and nor does it give anything to the future,” he said.
Shri Modi talked about the importance of Surajya and thanked the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on Gujarat winning several awards from the Centre for the state’s development works. Modi ji shared that Gujarat has won these awards in several fields and has also won over 200 international awards from various bodies including the United Nations.
Modi ji congratulated Union Minister Shri Dinsha Patel for the efforts on the inauguration of the Memorial and said that a person coming to see Sabarmati Ashram will now also come to see this.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid his tributes to Sardar Patel. He said it was a matter of honour for him to be a part of the inauguration and he described Sardar Patel as one of India’s tallest leaders. The Prime Minister talked about Sardar Patel’s contribution in uniting India and spoke on the close relationship he enjoyed with Gandhi ji.
Union Minister for Mines Shri Dinsha Patel said Sardar Patel was a person who spoke less and worked more and that he is an individual who has made history. He thanked the various people and organisations who contributed towards the Museum.
Present on the occasion were the Governor of Gujarat Her Excellency Dr. Kamla, Heavy Industries Minister Shri Praful Patel, Ministers Shri Bharat Solanki, Shri Tushar Chaudhary, Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly Shri Shankersinh Vaghela among others.
