Ram Vilas Paswan, Dinesh Patnaik after paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. (PTI Photo)
The 141st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was observed in the UK as hundreds of people of Indian-origin gathered in London to pay tributes to the veteran leader and freedom fighter.
India's acting High Commissioner to the UK, Dinesh Patnaik led yesterday's proceedings which will now be marked as National Unity Day in London annually.
"Sardar Patel was known more for his role in unifying India post-Independence but his achievements before 1947 were equally great. He was among the great heroes of our freedom struggle and National Unity Day will now be celebrated every year in his memory," he said, addressing guests in the Gandhi Hall at the Indian High Commission in India House.
The event included the screening of a documentary on the life of Sardar Patel, tracing his humble origins in Gujarat before he went on to qualify as a barrister in England and then chose to sacrifice all to join Mahatma Gandhi in his struggle for Indian independence.
"Sardar Patel paved the way for modern India. He was considered the Iron Man of India and it is only right that his birth anniversary be celebrated as a mark of national unity and celebration of India's diversity," said NRI businessman Rami Ranger.
The event came after union minister Ram Vilas Paswan led the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' pledge at the high commission on Monday.
He had hailed Sardar Patel as the "architect of a unified India", who ensured that the dream of an "undivided India" could be achieved.
This is the first year when the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel has been marked by two special events at India House with floral tributes paid to a statue of the freedom fighter that was unveiled at the Indian mission back in 2002.