Crowd-funding platform: In govt film, Sardar Patel holds a lotus

The audio-visual film opens depicting a fictional scene that would have prevailed in and around 1947 when India became independent. The narrative talks about chaos and indecision that prevailed among princely states during the period of partition when they had to opt between India and a newly formed Pakistan. Trying to impress upon the audience of how Indians would have been seeking visas to visit neighbouring states, the narrative also goes on to show how India would have been “islands” consisting of 562 princely states had it not been for the efforts of Sardar Patel.

The film, interspersed with visuals from history depicting Sardar Patel in the company of Gandhi and Nehru, depicts stories of bravery from his childhood and sacrifices as he grows up to leave his job as a barrister and dedicates himself to the service of the nation. The film also talks about how “Mahabat Khan, the Nawab of Junagadh” — a princely state located on south-western end of Gujarat that acceded to Pakistan — fled to the neighbouring country as the people of Junagadh voted to remain with India.

As the film recounts the leader’s contribution to various movements organised in the pre-Indepenedce India, Patel, towards the end is shown holding a lotus. Almost at the same time, the colour of his statue changes from tricolour to saffron.