Sardar Patel: The Expression Of Integrity In Public Life

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SARDAR PATEL: THE ICON OF INTEGRITY IN PUBLIC LIFE

“If you don 't stand for something you will fall for anything.” ― Gordon A. Eadie
The quote by Gordon A Eadie, which doesn’t need much of an explanation, truly captures the essence of integrity. Integrity is generally understood as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is a defining characteristic of a human being that reflects a sense of duty, commitment and selflessness. It also defines how a person thinks, what he does, what his aims are etc. A man of integrity is always an asset to society, whose clear conscience brings transparency and good governance.
India is land of many great individuals. Since time immemorial, this ancient civilization has given birth to men and women who have stood for righteousness and the public good. Among them, the name of Sardar Vallabhai Patel stands out. History has seen different kinds of leaders. There have been leaders by birth, there have been leaders by chance, but this peasant patriot was a leader by merit. Born on 31 October 1975 into the humble home of Jhaverbhai and Ladba Patel, Sardar Patel went on to become the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India.
Even as a child, Sardar Patel showed signs of integrity, grit and devotion. He used to run back home to help his father in the fields as soon as school was over. While growing up, he reputedly cultivated a stoic character. According to one popular