Sardar Smruti Bhavan by Jan

He said it was Sardar, during the time of partition, who convinced all the princely states to join India. He said after the Kargil war, Pakistan has started a proxy war in the country. He said Pakistan is trying to push terrorists across the border and also terrorise the countrymen by various anti-social activities. He said in such moments, the country should follow the footsteps of Sardar as far as national security was concerned.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel said the school where Sardar studied would be handed over to the Sardar Patel Trust at a token amount of Re 1. He said the government would also assist the Patel Trust in its activities. He said the BJP government in the Centre installed the statue of Sardar in the Parliament.

Meanwhile, various functions were organised in the city to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar. The BJP Youth wing released 562 tri-colour ballons to mark the birth anniversary. The BJP youth leaders said in the last 50 years during the Congress rule in the country, Sardar was neglected while various leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru were projected.

Meanwhile, the ONGC Gujarat Seva Samaj organised a rally to create awareness about Sardar. The rally started from Sabarmati, moved through Chimanbhai over bridge, Gandhi Ashram, Vadaj, Income Tax, Natraj Cinema, Nehru Bridge and reached the Sardar Baugh at Lal Darwaja. Columnist and historian Chandrakanth Baxi said the merger of the princely states in India showed the strong will power of Sardar. Baxi was speaking at a seminar on 8220;Sardar is Sardar8221; organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya and Mayor Malini Atit also spoke on the occasion.

A programme was also organised by the Gujarat Vidyapith to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar. Speaking on the occasion, State Governor Sundersingh Bhandari said Sardar was closely associated with Vidyapith. Bhandari said his simple life, his strong will power and leadership qualities got him the title of Sardar.

Former Education Minister Naval Shah said Sardar played a major role in the administration of the country along with Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. It was the duty of all of us to ensure that water from the Narmada river reaches the water-scarce areas of Kutch and Saurashtra and all the impediments which had dogged the Narmada project were removed, said Congress leader Amarsinh Chaudhary at a meeting.