Rashtriya Ekta Diwas: Famous quotes by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the iron man of India, was born on October 31, 1875. Breathing his last on December 15, 1950, this dynamic freedom fighter lived a life of enormous sacrifice, statesmanship, and patriotism. He played an important role in bringing about stability and consolidation of the Indian Republic after we achieved independence.

Fondly known as Sardar Patel, his contribution to the birth of a new and strong India will always be remembered. To commemorate his birth anniversary on October 31, here are some famous quotes from one of India's most eminent and inspiring leaders.

Inspiring quotes from the ‘Iron man of India’

• Today we must remove distinctions of high and low, rich and poor, caste or creed.
• So long as you do not know how to die it is useless for you to learn how to kill. India will not be benefited by brutal force. If India is to be benefited it will be through non-violence.
• We have to shed mutual bickering, 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.

(Date: 21 January 1942, Occasion: During Quit India Movement)

• We have tried to overcome our weaknesses honestly and in a definite manner. The proof, if any proof is needed, is Hindu- Muslim unity… Similarly, we have established cordial relations with Parsis, Christians and other citizens of the country.

(Date: 28 December 1921, Occasion: Speaking at Reception Committee of 36th Session of Indian National Congress at Ahmedabad)

• In a domestic Government unity and cooperation are essential requisites.

(Date: 6 March 1949, Occasion: An appeal to the East Punjab Govt. on arrest of Tara Singh)

• Caste, community will rapidly disappear. We have to speedily forget all these things. Such boundaries hamper our growth.

(Date: 16 April 1946, Occasion: Assuring Harijans a Place of Honour in Independent India during a Lecture delivered at Patidar Students Hostel at Vadodra.)

• No distinctions of caste and creed should hamper us. All are the sons and daughters of India. We should all love our country and build our destiny on mutual love and help.

(Date: 19 September 1950, Occasion: Addressing the Session of the Maharashtra Youth Congress at Nasik)

• The main task before India today is to consolidate herself into a well-knit and united power.

(Date: 11 August 1947, Occasion: Speaking to Delhi Citizens during Liberty Celebrations)

• The negligence of a few could easily send a ship to the bottom, but it required the whole-hearted co-operation of all on board; she could be safely brought to port.

(Date: 14 May 1928, Occasion: To villagers of Bardoli taluka during Bardoli Movement)

• Young men and women are to build-up a strong character. A nation’s greatness was reflected in the character of her people. If it was sullied by selfishness, such people could not prosper or achieve great things. Selfishness had its place in life as everyone had to look to his own needs and that of his family, but it could not be made the be – all and end – all of life.

(Date: 13 June 1935, Occasion: Advising young men and women to build up a strong character at Maharashtra Youth Congress)

• Happiness and misery are paper balls. Don’t be afraid of death. Join the nationalist forces, be united. Give work to those who are hungry, food to invalids, forget your quarrels.

(Date: 7 March 1942, Occasion: During Quit India Movement)

• Two ways of building character – cultivating strength to challenge oppression, and tolerate the resultant hardships that give rise to courage and awareness.

(Date: 13 June 1935, Occasion: Vallabhbhai stresses on building character among students at the Rashtriya Shala Board meeting, Karadi in Jalalpore district.)

• As satyagrahis we should always claim and we did – that we are always ready to make peace with our adversaries. As a matter of fact we are always eager for peace and when we found that the door to peace was opened we decided to enter it.

(Date: 5 April 1931, Occasion: During his address on Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at Karachi Congress Session)

• A war based on Satyagraha is always of two kinds. One is the war we wage against injustice and the other we fight against our own weaknesses.

(Date: 28 April 1935, Occasion: Addressing the Kisan Conference at Allahabad, U.P.)

• I am blunt and uncultured. To me there is only one answer to this questions. That answer is not that you should shut yourselves in colleges and learn history and mathematics while the country is on fire and everybody is fighting freedom’s battle. Your place is by the side of your countrymen, who are fighting the freedom’s battle.

(Date: 5 July 1930, Occasion: Addressing gathering of College Students at Bombay)

• One can take the path of revolution but the revolution should not give a shock to the society. There is no place for violence in revolution.

(Date: 19 February 1939, Occasion: Addressing the Students at Gujarat Vidyapith)

• Satyagraha is not a creed for the weak or the cowardly.

(Date: 28 April 1935, Occasion: Addressing the Kisan Conference at Allahabad, U.P.)

• Non-violence has to be observed in thought, word and deed. The measure of our non-violence will be the measure of our success.

(Date: 26 January 1939, Occasion: Announcing resumption of the struggle at Rajkot)

• The war started by Mahatmaji is against two things – the Government and secondly against one self. The former kind of war is closed, but the latter shall never cease. It is meant for self-purification.

(Date: 2 January 1935, Occasion: Advising the farmers at Ahmedabad after the close of Civil Disobedience Movement)