The statue of unity

 

Sardar patel & The statue of unity

 

 

 We were privileged to see the tallest statue in the world.

It is impressive, stands on a lofty platform and its vision encompasses the area around for several kilometers.

The holiday crowds and the short time at our disposal made our experience shortlived.

Online bookings deprived us of a chance to see the countryside and the Narmada dam from high on.

Yet it is a moment we cherish.

We found more statues of Sardar Patel than of the Father of the Nation or are we mistaken ?

Junagadh which is famous for its lion sanctuary has had a chequered history.

It was almost on the point of acceding to pakistan.

The Sardar’s contribution in mergence of states was highly commendable.

Contrast this with kashmir which remains a thorn in india’s flesh to this day.

Nehru’s trust in the united nations was misplaced.

The dithering by Hari singh , The kashmir king, cost him and us dear.

We are helpless to undo historical wrongs .

But Nehru’s remark that not a blade of grass grows there, meaning Siachin was born of shallow understanding.

Borders are meant to be safeguarded , in whatever condition and his faith in chinese friendship, counsel of wrong kind and his  fondness for krishna menon deepened the crisis.

India was meant to be a contiguous nation.

By distorting this truth thru partition the rulers then and the ones who succeeded them fared worse in the people’s eyes.

Was partition inevitable?

Yes, because the imperial power desired it so.

Or so I feel.!!

#statueofunity #sardarpatel #gujurat #Nehru