Embassy of India Beirut on 31 October 2017 organized public celebration of Birth Anniversary of SardarVallabhbhai Patel in cooperation with the Lebanese American University, Lebanese-Indian Friendship Parliamentary Committee (LIFPC) and Association for Development of Lebanese-India Relations (ADLIR), at Lebanese American University Beirut campus.
SardarVallabhbhai Patel [31 October, 1875 – 15 December, 1950] was one of the closest associate of Mahatma Gandhi during India’s non-violent freedom movement against the British colonial rule. At the time of India’s Independence on 15 August 1947, Sardar Patel played a crucial role in the integration of a large number of erstwhile princely states, patronized by the colonial rulers, into the Union of India. He was Independent India’s first Home Minister.
The people of India gratefully remember the late Sardar Patel as a great leader, popularly known as India’s ‘Iron Man’. As a homage to his sacrifices for the Nation and his historic role in achieving, preserving and nurturing the Unity of India, Sardar Patel’s Birthday on 31 October is commemorated as the National Unity Day by Indians both within the country as well as abroad.
The celebration of the inspirational life of SardarVallabhbhai Patel at LAU’s historic campus in Beirut included welcome note by H.E. Sanjiv Arora Ambassador of India to Lebanon, followed by brief remarks by Dr. Raed Mohsen Dean of Students, representing Dr. Joseph JabraPresident of LAU; Mr. Ali Ghandour, President of Association for Development of Lebanese-Indian Relations; General Hussein Lakis, Mayor of Baalbeck; and Colonel Santosh Kumar Tripathi, Commanding Officer of Indian Battalion – UNIFIL. This was followed by screening of a documentary film on the life of SardarVallabhbhai Patel. The event was concluded with a cultural performance by the students learning Indian Classical and Bollywood dance at the Embassy. A reception was held before the start of the formal programme.
One can take the path of revolution but the revolution should not give a shock to the society. There is no place for violencein revolution. – SardarVallabhbhaipatel