Lucknow: In a powerful display of national unity and public participation, a grand ‘Sardar @150 Ekta Yatra’ was organized in Sarojininagar to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of India’s unity. The historic march began from Scooter India Chauraha and concluded at the Sainik Inter College Ground, drawing enthusiastic participation from hundreds of citizens.
Stretching over 2.5 kilometers, the yatra witnessed massive involvement from residents, traders, social organizations, and BJP workers. The route reverberated with patriotic chants like “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and “Sardar Patel Amar Rahe”, while tricolour flags, nationalistic songs, and messages of Sardar Patel infused the atmosphere with a deep sense of pride and unity.
Leaders Pay Tribute to Sardar Patel’s Legacy
The event, organized by Sarojininagar MLA Dr. Rajeshwar Singh, saw participation from prominent leaders including BJP State General Secretary Sanjay Rai, Lucknow BJP District President Vijay Maurya, and BJP Metropolitan President Anand Dwivedi.
In his address to the large gathering at the conclusion of the yatra, Dr. Rajeshwar Singh hailed Sardar Patel as the “architect of modern India.” He recalled the moment of India’s independence, when 562 princely states, each with its own flag and constitution, existed. It was Sardar Patel’s unwavering resolve and diplomatic acumen, he said, that laid the foundation of a united and indivisible India.
Citing the example of the integration of Hyderabad, Dr. Singh recounted how Patel stood firm against rising violence by Razakars. Under Patel’s leadership, 30,000 soldiers ensured Hyderabad’s accession to India without firing a single bullet. He also emphasized Patel’s role in shaping the Indian Civil Services, calling them the “steel frame of India,” which continues to support governance irrespective of political shifts.
Concerns Over National Security and Youth Responsibility
Dr. Singh expressed concern over emerging internal and external threats, reminding youth of key contemporary conflicts—India-Pakistan wars, surgical strikes, the Balakot airstrike, and the Doklam standoff.
“Attacks on India have increased because our ancestors set the country back on the path of becoming the ‘Golden Bird’ again,” he said.
He praised India’s economic rise under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling that India moved from the 11th to the 4th-largest economy, and is on track to become the third-largest economy by 2027. Achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, he said, rests on the shoulders of today’s youth.
Calling casteism a “poison,” Dr. Singh urged people to learn from history:
“Just 2 lakh Britishers ruled us for 200 years because we were divided by caste, language, and regions. Today again, forces are trying to divide society. We must uproot casteism completely.”
Highlighting new-age threats, he noted that India faces 3,000 cyberattacks daily, and urged youngsters to become cyber warriors, social warriors, and defenders of the nation.
Honouring Women’s Leadership
Dr. Singh also praised the strong participation of women in the yatra and said that India is rising because of its “Matrushakti.” He cited inspiring examples such as President Droupadi Murmu, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging youth to draw inspiration from their dedication and leadership.
Sanjay Rai Highlights Sardar Patel’s Life Lessons
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Sanjay Rai appreciated the gesture of leading the yatra with Sardar Patel’s portrait and said future events would adopt the same practice. He shared remarkable anecdotes from Patel’s life—how Patel worked during his studies to support his dream of studying in London, eventually giving up his place so his elder brother could go instead. While in London, Patel earned a Gold Medal in law, a rare distinction not achieved by Gandhi ji or Nehru.
Mass Participation by Leaders and Citizens
The event saw the presence of several BJP leaders and community members, including:
Rajesh Chauhan, Shankari Singh, Rama Shankar Tripathi, Ashu Shukla, Rajendra Bajpai, Umesh Tiwari, Bhuvendra Singh ‘Munna’, P.K. Mishra, Parvinder Singh, K.K. Srivastava, Shiv Baksh Singh, Vivek Rajput, Mohit Tiwari, Shiv Shankar Vishwakarma, Vinod Maurya, Mukesh Sharma, Saurabh Singh ‘Monu’, Kaushalendra Dwivedi, Lavkush Rawat, Himanshu Ambedkar, Kamlesh Singh, K.N. Singh, Subhash Pasi, Sanjay Gupta, Dheeru Pandey, Aman Singh Chauhan, Sanjeev Mishra, Shubham Awasthi, Neha Singh, Nita Dixit, Madhu Singh, Manoj Rawat, Rajneesh Gupta, among many others.
The Sardar @150 Ekta Yatra not only paid tribute to the Iron Man of India but also served as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of unity, integrity, and patriotism that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel envisioned for the nation.
