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Words of Freedom: Ideas of a Nation #4
Selected Speeches and Writings of Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as Sardar Patel, was one of India's towering leaders, whose contribution to the Indian Republic is immense. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to join the freedom struggle, Patel was at the forefront of the Quit India movement, and was arrested by the British a number of times. After Independence, he served as India's first home minister and deputy prime minister. A successful lawyer, he used his legendary negotiation skills to unite the 550 princely states and colonial provinces under the Union of India, to create the nation we know today.
The speeches and writings collected here showcase Vallabhbhai Patel's unique vision for his beloved country-his staunch belief in communal harmony, benefits of freedom for all citizens and in peace and cooperation between different regions.
The speeches and writings collected here showcase Vallabhbhai Patel's unique vision for his beloved country-his staunch belief in communal harmony, benefits of freedom for all citizens and in peace and cooperation between different regions.
- GenresNonfiction
133 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 4, 2016
Q: Which leader is known as the ‘Iron Man of India’?
A: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This question above was my first introduction to Vallabhbhai Patel - fondly known as ‘Sardar’ for his leadership abilities - as I started getting my lessons in Indian history as a child. Having grown up admiring mainly Gandhi and Nehru, I only happened to have an occasional glimpse of the personality that ‘Sardar’ was. The portrayal of him as an antagonist of Subhash Chandra Bose, as found in one of Bose’s biographies, didn’t help his image in my mind. Also, the recent hijacking of Patel's persona by the Hindu Right/Radicals that projected Patel as one of their own, cast doubts in my mind about the greatness of this man. I started thinking of him as just another leader who happened to be an acolyte of Gandhi and hence got into the limelight. Man, how wrong I was!
As I started indulging more in Indian history, especially its post-Independence days, I grew more curious to learn about Patel. Was it really possible for a narrow-minded leader with a communal slant to have united the country without using much force and bloodshed? How could a leader, who prioritized the welfare of only Hindus, have managed to fuse the country of various ethnicities, languages and divisions of other kinds, into one strong nation? As these questions started tugging at my mind and made me feel guilty about carrying a negative opinion of a leader about whom I knew next to nothing, I decided to do what I do best - read.
‘Words of Freedom’ is an excellent book series by Penguin Publishers, which carries the speeches and writings of many of the past greats of India. Wisely selected essays and articles in these books give one a basic yet clear idea about the personality and thought-flow of the chosen great man - or woman. I picked up this book that carries the words of Patel as a first step towards learning about him.
I must confess, I have now got immense respect for Sardar Patel after going through this book. Here is a leader who didn’t mince his words, a character not conducive to a successful public life, in a corrupt society like ours. He was a man who called a spade a spade, was practical in his thoughts and deeds, had a will of steel, had pragmatic approach towards the society and the challenges. He had his dreams and visions of course, but he also saw the path towards the same in a clear manner. He wasn’t a starry-eyed ideologue hoping to form an Utopian Indian society. And, he DEFINITELY wasn’t communal!
I am stressing on the last sentence, because that’s how he was projected to me by my friends in Hindu as well as other-than-Hindu religions. He was someone who saw Indians as just that – Indians. He wouldn’t have treated you in any special manner just because you belonged to a particular religion, caste or sect. Also, he wouldn’t have mollycoddled you if you played ‘minority’ card. He had this ability to see the people based on their merit. No wonder he wasn’t and still isn’t popular among many.
His vision, his equanimity, his pragmatism, his moral strength, his indomitable will, his love for his country - are all nicely captured in this short book. A commendable job by Penguin Publishers.
But as the book progresses chronologically, towards the end you get a feeling that Sardar Patel died a disillusioned and disenchanted man, with his love for his country accentuating his pain for the ways in which the country had started deteriorating. Corruption, communal violence, lack of focus on the purpose on hand – that of strengthening the nation, and the citizens' plunging into selfish motives have all hurt him badly. Any sensitive reader could realize the pain and yet that undying hope in his words.
Wish this nation had had the fortune of seeing Sardar alive and in good health for another decade at least. He would have definitely changed the course of this country’s post-independence history and progress. A great leader in his own right, he was content to have kept to the shadows of the Gandhi during his time, staying on in the sidelines even after Gandhi’s demise, playing the role of an able and apt ally for Nehru. Iron Man, indeed!
A: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This question above was my first introduction to Vallabhbhai Patel - fondly known as ‘Sardar’ for his leadership abilities - as I started getting my lessons in Indian history as a child. Having grown up admiring mainly Gandhi and Nehru, I only happened to have an occasional glimpse of the personality that ‘Sardar’ was. The portrayal of him as an antagonist of Subhash Chandra Bose, as found in one of Bose’s biographies, didn’t help his image in my mind. Also, the recent hijacking of Patel's persona by the Hindu Right/Radicals that projected Patel as one of their own, cast doubts in my mind about the greatness of this man. I started thinking of him as just another leader who happened to be an acolyte of Gandhi and hence got into the limelight. Man, how wrong I was!
As I started indulging more in Indian history, especially its post-Independence days, I grew more curious to learn about Patel. Was it really possible for a narrow-minded leader with a communal slant to have united the country without using much force and bloodshed? How could a leader, who prioritized the welfare of only Hindus, have managed to fuse the country of various ethnicities, languages and divisions of other kinds, into one strong nation? As these questions started tugging at my mind and made me feel guilty about carrying a negative opinion of a leader about whom I knew next to nothing, I decided to do what I do best - read.
‘Words of Freedom’ is an excellent book series by Penguin Publishers, which carries the speeches and writings of many of the past greats of India. Wisely selected essays and articles in these books give one a basic yet clear idea about the personality and thought-flow of the chosen great man - or woman. I picked up this book that carries the words of Patel as a first step towards learning about him.
I must confess, I have now got immense respect for Sardar Patel after going through this book. Here is a leader who didn’t mince his words, a character not conducive to a successful public life, in a corrupt society like ours. He was a man who called a spade a spade, was practical in his thoughts and deeds, had a will of steel, had pragmatic approach towards the society and the challenges. He had his dreams and visions of course, but he also saw the path towards the same in a clear manner. He wasn’t a starry-eyed ideologue hoping to form an Utopian Indian society. And, he DEFINITELY wasn’t communal!
I am stressing on the last sentence, because that’s how he was projected to me by my friends in Hindu as well as other-than-Hindu religions. He was someone who saw Indians as just that – Indians. He wouldn’t have treated you in any special manner just because you belonged to a particular religion, caste or sect. Also, he wouldn’t have mollycoddled you if you played ‘minority’ card. He had this ability to see the people based on their merit. No wonder he wasn’t and still isn’t popular among many.
His vision, his equanimity, his pragmatism, his moral strength, his indomitable will, his love for his country - are all nicely captured in this short book. A commendable job by Penguin Publishers.
But as the book progresses chronologically, towards the end you get a feeling that Sardar Patel died a disillusioned and disenchanted man, with his love for his country accentuating his pain for the ways in which the country had started deteriorating. Corruption, communal violence, lack of focus on the purpose on hand – that of strengthening the nation, and the citizens' plunging into selfish motives have all hurt him badly. Any sensitive reader could realize the pain and yet that undying hope in his words.
Wish this nation had had the fortune of seeing Sardar alive and in good health for another decade at least. He would have definitely changed the course of this country’s post-independence history and progress. A great leader in his own right, he was content to have kept to the shadows of the Gandhi during his time, staying on in the sidelines even after Gandhi’s demise, playing the role of an able and apt ally for Nehru. Iron Man, indeed!
April 20, 2019
Sardar in full form
I liked the compilation. Sardar's speeches give us an insight into ylthe problems of that era and the thought process of of the first deputy PM of India.
I liked the compilation. Sardar's speeches give us an insight into ylthe problems of that era and the thought process of of the first deputy PM of India.
February 22, 2025
Sardar Vallabhai Patel was undoubtedly the 'Iron Man of India'. He played a monumental role in the unification of more than 500 princely states with the newly formed Republic of India. This book contains the speeches delivered by him at various events. It was a difficult yet crucial task to not let the masses lose their faith in the government. In many instances, he had to motivate the people of Bengal and South India to contribute to building a strong and independent India. The workers were implored not to go on frequent strikes demanding less work and more wages. It was important for all communists and socialists to let go of their unrealistic demands
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews