Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: A Far-sighted Luminary of India by K.R. Gupta (Hardcover)

Description

Vallabhbhai Patel is rightly said to be the architect of India’s political integration and is often compared to Otto von Bismarck of Germany, who did the same for his country. The integration of nearly six hundred princely states is attributed to him. In case of problematic states like Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagarh he had to use a combination of frank diplomacy and force. Patel devoted his time and energy in doing practical work. He went on despite having health problems at times. He was imprisoned and spent many years in jail which weakened him physically, but not mentally. He went on opposing the oppressive policies of the British government and galvanizing the people of India for India’s struggle for independence. He wrote a number of letters keeping a watch on the events happening across the country, guiding other leaders, including men of position. Sardar Patel had greater vision than other leaders including Nehru. He was against taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council, which the then Prime Minister Nehru did and the issue which was of local nature, became international and has remained unresolved till today. Patel also foresaw the dangers hidden in China’s policy of dominating and bullying its neighbours and its incursions in Tibet. He asked Nehru to strengthen Indian army. Nehru ignored his call and India suffered heavily when China attacked it in 1962. Patel was in favour of private participation in the economy but Nehru followed a socialistic pattern with little allowance for private participation. No worthwhile development took place in the Nehruvian 00period and three decades thereafter as a result of faulty economic policies.