Celebration of 143rd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The Embassy of India in Ulaanbaatar celebrated 143rd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, 2018 with great fervor. The celebration began with administration of National Unity Day Pledge by Mr. O.P. Meena, Charge de’ Affaires to all India-based officials of the Mission at 10AM. Later on the day, a ceremony was organized from 04:30 PM onwards at the Conference Hall of the Chancery. A large cross section of Indian Community and Indo-Mongol friends attended the event. Local media was also presented. Charge d’ Affaires, Mr. O.P.Meena delivered opening remarks. During his opening remarks, he said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was an extraordinary and visionary leader, social reformer and thinker, freedom fighter and a staunch Gandhian. Sardar Patel went on to become the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India. He said that Sardar Patyel played a crucial role not only during the freedom Struggle of India but also in the post-Independent political consolidation of India as he was instrumental in the integration of over 500 princely states into the Indian Union. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is better known as “Iron Man and Bismarck of India”. He also informed that the Government of India in 2014, to commemorate the great legendary, announced to celebrate his birthday, 31 October annually as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). He took the opportunity to inform the gathering about unveiling of tallest statue of Sardar Patel (Statue of Unity) by Hon’ble Prime Minister on the day. Among other speakers were Mr. Edward Benedict, President India Club and Mr. Atul Bishnoi, Indian Community member who spoke on life, time and contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in integration and consolidation of great democracy in India. Mr. Atul Bishnoi paid his tribute by reciting a self-composed Hindi Poem on Sardar Patel which was appreciated by all. During the celebration, a 20 minutes documentary on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel “Life of Sardar Patel ” and a digital photo exhibition of photographs on the life and times of Sardar Patel were screened.
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