Interaction with the School Chairman on Sardar Patel, for class 7

On 2 November 2020, the students of class 7 had an hour-long interaction with School Chairman, Mr. Prafull Goradia. The topic of interaction was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of the Sardar's birth anniversary. Mr Goradia shared a lot of information about the firm and dynamic leader with the students.

This year, on 31 October, India celebrated the 145th birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel. Since 2014 the day is being observed as National Unity Day. Mr. Goradia spoke about the Sardar's life and his contribution to the freedom struggle.

Mr Goradia began by telling the students that Vallabhbhais full name was Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel and he was born in Nadiad, a small town in Gujarat. In 1947, when the British left India they offered the Indian princely states, the choice to, either join India or Pakistan. Alternately they could choose to remain independent.

Chairman Sir informed the students that Hyderabad was one state which opposed the idea of a merger with India. Deputy Prime Minister at the time Sardar Patel, took a critical decision and ordered police action in Hyderabad. The action named 'Operation Polo', started on 13 September 1948, at 4 am.

After an initial resistance by the Nizam's army, the Razakars, the state was captured by 18 September. The Nizam was forced to surrender and signed a merger agreement with India. The Nizam of Hyderabad at the time was Usman Ali Khan Asif Jah Saptam. Within four days, the tricolour was hoisted in Hyderabad.

Mr Goradia told that gathering that the Sardar was Home Minister during the political integration of India and the Indo-PakWar of 1947. It was at that time that Patel persuaded almost every princely state to accede to India. His commitment to national integration in our newly born country was sincere and uncompromising, earning him the title "Iron Man of India.

Towards the end, Sir answered many questions of the curious students. With such insights into important historic events, it was a rich learning experience for all.

Devyanshi Kapoor and Kamreen Zehra, class VII C