Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid rich tributes to India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his birth anniversary, remembering him as the “Iron Man” who laid the foundation of the nation’s unity and integrity.

In a post on He further added, “By describing India in one sutra, he laid the strong foundation of the unity and integrity of the country – his god, courage and vision will always guide us.”

Translated, Gandhi’s message reads: “Salutations to the country’s first Home Minister, Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his birth anniversary. By uniting India, he laid a strong foundation for the nation’s unity and integrity — his unwavering courage, foresight, and ideals will always guide us.”

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, fondly remembered as the Iron Man of India, was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat. A key figure in India’s freedom struggle, he played a pivotal role in integrating over 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence. His birth anniversary is observed nationwide as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).