THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 31 October 2018 (Uniting, he stands)

Uniting, he stands

Mains Paper: 3 | Ethics
Prelims level: Sardar Patel
Mains level: Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators

Introduction

•  The first half of 1947 was a critical period in India’s history.

•  The end of colonial rule was certain and so was India’s partition but what was uncertain was whether there would be more than one division.

•  Prices were rising, food shortages were common but over and above everything else, the unity of India was under severe strain.

•  It was in these circumstances that the states department came into being in the middle of 1947.

•  Among the chief aims of this department was to negotiate India’s relationship with the over 550 princely states, which were as diverse as they could get, be it in size, population, terrain or economic situation.

•  No wonder Mahatma Gandhi remarked, “The problem of the states is so difficult that YOU alone can solve it.”

Administrative lessons

•  In vintage Sardar Patel style, he went about his work with precision, firmness and administrative efficiency.

•  One by one, he and his team negotiated with the princely states and ensured that they all became a part of free India.

•  It was due to the round-the-clock effort of Patel that the map of India is what it is today!

•  Once freedom was won, V P Menon, it is said, wanted to retire from government service, only to be told by Patel that this was neither the time to rest nor the time to retire.

•  Such was Patel’s firm resolve that Menon was made the secretary of the state’s department.

•  On August 15, 1947, we celebrated the dawn of a new destiny but the work of nation building was far from complete.

•  As Independent India’s first home minister, he set the stage for an administrative framework that continues to serve the nation be it in matters of day-to-day governance or protecting the interests of the people, particularly the poor and marginalised.

Human Values

•  Patel was a veteran administrator.

•  His own experience in governance, particularly in the 1920s, when he served the Ahmedabad municipality, was extremely handy when he worked towards strengthening independent India’s administrative framework.

•  In Ahmedabad, he did commendable work in furthering cleanliness in the city.

•  He ensured clean and functioning drainage systems across the city.

•  He also focussed on other aspects of urban infrastructure such as roads, electricity and education.

•  Today, if India is known for a vibrant cooperative sector, a large part of the credit goes to Sardar Patel.

•  The roots of Amul can be traced back to his vision for empowering local communities, particularly women.

•  It was Patel who also popularised the idea of cooperative housing societies, thus ensuring dignity and shelter for many.

•  Two traits synonymous with Patel are trust and integrity.

•  The farmers of India had unparalleled faith in him. After all, he was a kisan putra, who led from the front during the Bardoli Satyagraha.

•  The working class saw him as a ray of hope, a leader who would speak up for them. Traders and industrialists preferred to work with Patel because they felt here was a stalwart who had a vision for India’s economic and industrial growth.

The Sardar: A giant of modern India

•  His political peers too trusted him.

•  Acharya Kripalani remarked that whenever they faced an issue and if Bapu’s guidance was not available, they would turn to Patel.

•  When political negotiations were at their peak in 1947, Sarojini Naidu called him “the man of decision and man of action”.

•  Everyone trusted him, his words and his actions. Patel continues to be respected across caste, creed, faith, age!

•  Situated on the banks of the Narmada, the “Statue of Unity” is among the tallest in the world.

•  “Dharti Putra” Sardar Patel will stand tall in the skies, to guide us and inspire us.

•  The “Statue of Unity” is a symbol of both the unity of hearts and the geographical integrity of our motherland.

•  It is a reminder that divided, we may not be even able to face ourselves.

•  He saved India from Balkanisation and integrated even the weakest of limbs into the national framework.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements with reference to the INA upsurges:
1. Sardar Patel advised the rebel members to continue the agitation till independence.
2. Gandhiji lauded the efforts undertaken by ratings and fully supported their mutiny.
3. Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted Muslim INA members to surrender before the authority instead of striking.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: D

Mains Questions:
Q.1) What are the human values and administrative lessons we can learn from Sir Sarder Patel? How we can inculcate them into our society?