Our Tributes and Gratitude
One
lesser known point of his contribution to India. India 's Lakshdweep
and Minicoy Islands located very very strategically in the Indian Ocean
are 100 % Muslim. When , in 1947 , India was being divided on communal
lines , Sardar Patel sent an Indian Naval ship to Lakshdweep which
raised the Indian Tricolor there. After a few days a Pakistani ship
arrived but had to return.
The greatness of
Sardar was that unlike Kashmir ( which is only Muslim MAJORITY ) that
Sardar Patel never let Lakshdweep ever become an Issue.-
Had
Sardar 's views prevailed there would not have been any Kashmir problem
and India would not have surrendered abjectly in Tibet. With Tibet
existing as an independent nation , there would not have been any
hostile Chinese neighborhood. Sardar Patel had warned Nehru against the
Chinese designs on Tibet and the repercussions it would have on India..
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Separatists and Pro Pakistan politicians in Kashmir valley would have been very effectively dealt with by Sardar Patel.
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Sardar
Patel placed the interests of his country above every thing . He did
not encourage his children to interfere in state matters and , he did
not leave behind a dynasty.He was the true " Iron Man of India ) and
after Mahatma Gandhi , Gujarat 's ( then Bombay Presidency ) biggest
gift to India.