October 31st has a special place in India’s history. It is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who after Independence played the most difficult role of uniting the various provinces and Rajwaras despite opposition, and also the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, who prevented the Nation from being balkanized and was arguably the greatest mass leader of the 20th century. The contribution of both these leaders can never be forgotten by a grateful country. The Sardar was indeed the `Loh Purush’ (Iron Man) and participated in the freedom struggle under the overall leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, alongside Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and lakhs of others, largely belonging to the Indian National Congress. Indira Gandhi had done her political apprenticeship under her illustrious father and most of his colleagues and thus always believed in ensuring the integrity of this country. The Sardar died very early on and thus could not do many more momentous things, which he would have done, had he remained alive.
Indira Gandhi
His memory shall always live on. Contrary to the impression which has been erroneously created, there are many places in the national capital, which are reminders to citizens that he shall be always there. The Sardar Patel Marg, which has been a part of the ceremonial route of all visiting dignitaries is a prominent landmark of Delhi. There is Patel Nagar, once the bastion of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the Patel Chowk on Parliament Street, the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute in the Delhi University Campus and the Patel Bhawan. His greatest strength was the firmness with which he addressed issues and held on to his convictions. On the other hand, Indira Gandhi, was a politician of a different era and shall always be remembered for bifurcating Pakistan while helping to create a separate Bangladesh to end genocide of Bengalis by the West Pakistan military and its leaders.
She powered the Congress to its most commendable victories both in 1971 and again in 1980 though the grand old party also won in 1967 under her overall leadership. Despite splitting the party twice, she managed to politically revive her fortunes and was amongst a very few world leaders who had the guts and courage to stand up against powerful Presidents of the United State including Richard Nixon. She also was perhaps the only Prime Minister who was defeated in an election after people punished her for imposing the 18-month emergency rule between 1975 and 1977. She accepted the verdict and redeemed herself by defeating the Janata Party In 1980. Her charisma and mass appeal were without any parallel and she was a leader who could win both from the Northern and Southern part of the country. The biggest homage to her was paid by the people after she was gunned down in cold blood by her bodyguards, when the Congress retained power with unprecedented over 400 seats in the 1984 elections. Both the Sardar and Indira were leaders we should all be proud off while keeping their contributions for the country in mind.