Centre Forms Committees to Honour Patel, Vajpayee, Birsa Munda

The Government of India has constituted three high-level committees to commemorate the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Birsa Munda, and the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These committees will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be responsible for planning, supervising, and guiding celebratory events across the country.

Honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

The Iron Man of India

Sardar Patel, born on 31st October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat, played a critical role in India’s freedom struggle and post-independence nation-building. His most iconic achievement was the integration of 565 princely states into the Indian Union, a diplomatic feat that earned him the title “Iron Man of India.”

The committee will organise nationwide activities to highlight Patel’s role in,

• National integration and unity
• Administrative leadership during post-independence transition
• Contribution to India’s democratic and civil services framework

Celebrating Birsa Munda’s Tribal Legacy

Tribal Resistance and Cultural Pride

Birsa Munda, born on 15th November 1875, is a legendary figure among tribal communities and a symbol of indigenous resistance against British colonial rule. The leader of the Ulgulan (Revolution) movement, Birsa Munda fought against exploitation and land alienation, becoming a rallying figure for tribal identity and justice.

The committee will focus on,

• Celebrating tribal heritage and culture
• Promoting awareness about tribal resistance movements
• Recognising contributions of tribal communities in India’s freedom struggle

This initiative aligns with the government’s focus on inclusive historical narratives and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, already observed on Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary.

Marking Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth Centenary

Statesman and Reformer

Atal Bihari Vajpayee, born on 25th December 1924, was a poet, parliamentarian, and three-time Prime Minister of India. Revered for his oratory and inclusive leadership, Vajpayee steered the country through significant milestones such as,

• Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998
• Infrastructure development through the Golden Quadrilateral project
• Introduction of Good Governance practices and reforms

His birthday is already observed as Good Governance Day, and the committee will now expand centenary celebrations to include,

• Public awareness campaigns on Vajpayee’s vision
• Seminars, cultural events, and publications
• National-level poetry and leadership contests

Vajpayee was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2015, reinforcing his legacy as a visionary leader.