Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birth anniversary: 10 most inspiring quotes of the 'Iron Man of India'

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. File Pic

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel birth anniversary: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, often referred to as the "Iron Man of India," was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement and a key figure in the early history of independent India. Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, a small town in the state of Gujarat, India. He came from a humble farming family.

He played an instrumental role in the Indian freedom movement. The nationalist, freedom fighter and statesman, is known for uniting 562 princely states of Modern India to build the Republic of India.

Sardar Patel's vision was to integrate the people in the country irrespective of people's caste, ethnicity, gender, or religion. A truly great social leader, the Iron Man of India is hailed to date for his contributions. On October 31, we celebrate the birth anniversary of the great leader.

To honour his pivotal role in making a united India, the government, in 2014, decided to commemorate National Unity Day or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary.

On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary, we revisit some of his most inspiring quotes.

• "It is the prime responsibility of every citizen to feel that his country is free and to defend its freedom is his duty."
• "Satyagraha is not a creed for the weak or the cowardly."
• "We have to shed mutual bickerings, shed the difference of being high or low and develop the sense of equality and banish untouchability. We have to restore the conditions of Swaraj prevalent prior to British rule. We have to live like the children of the same father."
• "Faith is of no avail in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work."
• "Manpower without unity is not a strength unless it is harmonised and united properly, then it becomes a spiritual power."
• "Ours is a non-violent war, it is Dharma Yuddha."
• "Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be the measure of our success."
• "Even if we lose the wealth of thousands, and our life is sacrificed, we should keep smiling and be cheerful keeping our faith in God and Truth."
• "In a democratic set-up, we must have freedom of the Press, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of association and all kinds of freedom."
• "By common endeavor, we can raise the country to a new greatness, while a lack of unity will expose us to fresh calamities."