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(On 31st October, India remembered her great son Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel on his birthday.)
Patel, the steelman, India’s own Sardar,
who tamed several quarrelsome, cacophonous
country states into a union – a songful garland!
How much we wish the whole of Kashmir
were in your grip like Hyderabad!
You could have re-written Indian history,
obviated the rivers of blood that flowed,
lives lost, the continuing conflict and misery.
That dream was not to flower -
Kashmir remained burning - a painful wound
on Mother India, causing streams of blood to flow
leaving you on your deathbed with an anguished heart
broken by the Mahatma’s tragic exit.
Time then robbed you of us -
orphaned India drowned in tears.
Dreams still flower in vain-
had you been at the helm alone
of our freedom struggle,
perhaps, India would have remained undivided
and the Father of the Nation continued his triumph
on the path of non-violence.
You captained the Quit India Movement,
united our farmers and brought their brotherhood
into the cause of our freedom struggle.
Efficient and alacritous,
you proved a great Indian sage of action!
To you, her heroic son,
India today has dedicated
a statue of steel
over six hundred feet tall
on the banks of the peaceful Narmada,
Oh, you, the valorous son of Nadiad,
unparalleled architect of India!
Towering into the skies of blueness
in our hearts, you stand,
the great son of India,
whatever untruths your detractors,
the vested interests mouth.
Triumphant always, you our Sardar remain!
May India awake listening to your stories of valour!
May again Sardars descend on this land of the Ganges!
May they recapture the losses of the past!
May India continue eternally undivided!
May the Shambhu of Somnath, our guardian, protect!
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