Ahmedabad, Dec 3 (NationPress) Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on Wednesday praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for his crucial contributions as the 'Sardar of Bardoli' and his efforts in uniting princely states post-Independence.

Speaking to a large audience at the Sardar Gatha event, part of the Sardar@150 National Unity March reaching its concluding stage in Vadodara district, Governor Devvrat emphasized that communities that honor their historical lineage remain vibrant and enduring.

He reminded the gathering, many of whom were farmers, that their forefathers were also cultivators who faced significant hardships under British colonial rule.

Delving into the context of the 'Bardoli Satyagraha', he recounted how in 1928, farmers were already grappling with failed monsoons and inadequate infrastructure like canals, electricity, and roads, when the British government ruthlessly increased land revenue taxes from 3–4 percent to as high as 22 percent, with some farmers facing a staggering 60 percent tax.

“When they were unable to pay, the colonial regime confiscated their livestock and land. It was during this dire situation that Vallabhbhai Patel emerged, leaving behind his flourishing legal profession to champion the farmers' cause,” the Governor remarked.

Patel traversed from village to village in Bardoli, rallying farmers, instilling confidence, and uniting them under a shared purpose, Acharya Devvrat added.

“Due to his exemplary leadership, the farming community, particularly women, stood resolute against British oppression. Their unwavering unity earned Vallabhbhai the title of ‘Sardar’, awarded to him by the women of Bardoli,” the Governor shared.

Ultimately, the British administration was compelled to reduce the tax to 6.3 percent, marking a significant victory that revitalized India's national movement, he mentioned.

The Governor also underscored Sardar Patel's monumental efforts after Independence, when he seamlessly integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union through exceptional resolve and diplomacy, including the complicated cases of Junagadh and Hyderabad.

He noted that while Jammu and Kashmir remained a contentious issue for decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another 'son of Gujarat', has realized Sardar Patel's vision for national unity by abrogating Article 370.

“Wherever Sardar Patel's spirit resides today, it must find peace,” he stated.

Governor Devvrat concluded by stating that the 182-meter Statue of Unity at Kevadia, which is now a destination for visitors from across the nation, symbolizes India's unity and the principles that Patel embodied.

Describing it as a privilege to partake in the 150th birth anniversary march of a man who devoted his life to the nation, the Governor remarked, “This revered land of Gujarat birthed a remarkable individual who lived by the mantra of 'Rashtraya Swaha', meaning 'Everything is offered to the nation.'