STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: “National Unity refers to the process of bringing the people of a country together where everyone feels a sense of belonging and loyalty to the nation. It is the bond that holds together the diverse elements of a country, creating unity in diversity”. With this opening statement Riyansha of Grade 7th Kaveri conducted the special assembly to celebrate National Unity day alongwith her classmates at JK Public School Kunjwani.
Throwing light over his life voyage, Ayushman stated, “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the India’s greatest leaders and freedom fighters often known as the Iron Man of India. He was born on 31 Oct 1875 in Nadiad (Gujarat). He studied law in England and became a successful lawyer in India. He was a strong leader, who played a major role in uniting our country after Independence. Every year, 31 October is celebrated as National Unity Day to honour his contributions. His life teaches us the importance of unity, discipline and dedication”.
Highlighting the greatest contribution of Sardar Patel, Prajuril Shrikul said, “At the time of Independence, India was divided into more than 560 princely states: each one thinking of staying Independent. Without Sardar Patel’s strong leadership, courage and vision, these states might have never come together and India could have been split into many smaller and weaker nations. It was his iron will power determination and fearless execution that joined every part of India into one strong and unified India. Sardar Patel gave shape to our nation’s unity, strength and identity”.
Garvit Sharma from Grade 5 took a resolution in front of the whole assembly. He said, “I take a vow to be the next Sardar Patel. I will put my nation above everything else. I will imbibe and reflect the strong principles of Sardar Patel through my deeds and stick to them amidst odds. I will be fearless after taking a stand in the interest of my nation, and come what may, I’ll continue till I succeed”.
Director JK Educational Society Shashi Chaudhary graced the occasion with her benign presence.
Under the segment Quotations, Avneet quoted K.M. Munshi, one of Sardar Patel’s closest associates, who beautifully captured Sardar’s wisdom, restraint, and commanding presence, saying:
“Ordinarily Sardar is a man of very few words. He can keep silence for hours in the mindst of exciting conversation, never speaks for the sake of speaking. He only becomes eloquent when action is in the air, but when he does speak, he speaks with eloquence unrivalled. He can attack, he can reveal, he can heap ridicule, he can make an audience cry. Above all, he is a master of winged shaft which like shafts pierce the heart”.
Reflecting upon Sardar Patel’s immense contribution to India’s freedom movement, Raghvendra quoted Sarat Chandra Bose, who paid a remarkable tribute to Sardar, saying: “Almost immediately coming out of my detention camp, I greeted the Sardar of Bardoli as the Sardar of India. I did not do so at the impulse of the moment. The words that came out of me were the result of deep thinking during the last four years.”
“Few could capture Sardar Patel’s essence better than Sarojini Naidu, who wrote, ‘With his stern, rugged and grave exterior, he is like an iron casket that holds rare and hidden gems of devotion, sweetness and charm’, stated Aviral.
“Lord Mountbatten, who worked closely with Sardar Patel during India’s freedom transition, once remarked: ‘I had not known Sardar Patel before I went to India in March 1947. Having struck the chord of mutual trust with Sardar, one was dealing with an essentially friendly, human, and lovable man”, stated Mivaan.
“Speaking with deep love and admiration, Mahatma Gandhi expressed his feelings for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in these touching words: ‘It was a great privilege for me to have been with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I was well aware of his matchless bravery, but I have never lived with him as I had the good fortune during 16 months. The affection with which he covered me recalls to me that of my own dear mother”.
“In her heartfelt appreciation of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s character, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur wrote: ‘His rugged exterior hides a heart of gold and an affectionate and kindly nature”, said Laavanya.
“Even across the shores, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s greatness was recognized. The erstwhile British Prime Minister Clement R. Attlee once said with deep respect: ‘Sardar Patel played an outstanding part in the great events of his generation and his name will have a permanent place in the annals of India”, said Arshveer. Srijan Sharma quoted Govind Vallabh Pant, “Sardar’s genius for leadership and organization is marvelous”.
“Describing Sardar Patel’s unwavering spirit, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad remarked: ‘He is a bold and untiring General of India’s struggle for independence and is keeping the banner of India flying with a young man’s zeal and soldier’s fierceness”, stated Aarav Khajuria.
Mayansh referred to C. Rajgopalachary said, “Those who think that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is a hard man are thoroughly mistaken. On the contrary, it would not be far from the truth if one were to say that his is the nature of a loving and jealous woman. His affection is exacting, and behind a cold and cynical exterior be holds a highly emotional and responsive soul and an untiring spirit work. Masterful he is, but as a mother and not as a tyrant”.
Applauding the presenter for enlivening the ethos of the occasion, Principal JKPS Kujwani Rajesh Rathore stated, “Dear students, on this National Unity Day – the sacred birth anniversary of the Iron Man of India – we bow our heads in reverence to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the man who did not merely dream of a united India; he welded it with his grit, his steel-like resolve, and his uncompromising patriotism”.
“Today, we revisited the towering traits that sculpted him into a legend – unyielding courage, iron will, fearless execution, unwavering honesty, and relentless perseverance. These were not just qualities; they were his weapons, and with them, he fortified our nation forever”, he added.
But let us not limit our admiration to words. Let us convert reverence into resolve. I pose a question to this young brigade of future leaders: Can the land that once gifted India a Sardar Patel not produce many more Patels again?”
“The answer lies not outside – it lies in your hearts, in your character, in your choices, and in your actions”, he extolled the audience.
“As we pay our heartfelt homage to the architect of united India, let us rise and take a solemn pledge: ‘From these hallowed portals shall emerge students carved in steel – bold in thought, brave in action, pure in intent, unstoppable in spirit. Students, who do not merely follow history, but create it. Let the fire of unity, discipline and nation-building blaze in every heart at JK Public School, Kunjwani”.
He made a clarion call, “Let every dream be drenched in purpose, every effort fuelled by conviction, and every soul echo with the roar. ‘Bharat is One, and we shall keep it One’ with honour, courage and unbreakable unity”!