Vallabhbhai Patel was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, a small village in Gujarat. His father Jhaverbhai was a farmer and mother Laad Bai was a simple lady. He passed his high school examination in 1896. He got married to Jhaberaba. In 1904, He sailed for England to study law in august 1910. Sardar Patel returned to India in 1913 and started his practice in Ahmadabad.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Successfully led Kheda Satyagraha and Bardoli revolt against British government - Vallabhbhai successfully led revolt in Kheda and the revolt ended in 1919 when the British government agreed to suspend collection of revenue and roll back the rates. Kheda Satyagraha turned Vallabhbhai Patel into a national hero. In 1928, Bardoli Taluka in Gujarat suffered from floods and famine. In this hour of distress the British government raised the revenue taxes by thirty percent. Sardar Patel took up cudgels on behalf of the farmers and appealed to the Governor to reduce the taxes. The Governor refused and the government even announced the date of the collection of the taxes. Sardar Patel organized the farmers and told them not to pay even a single pie of tax. The government tried to repress the revolt but ultimately bowed before Vallabhbhai Patel. It was during the struggle and after the victory in Bardoli that caused intense excitement across India, that Patel was increasingly addressed by his colleagues and followers as Sardar.

elected Ahmadabad’s municipal president in 1922, 1924 and 1927 Elected Congress President in 1931 - Sardar Patel was imprisoned during Civil

Disobedience Movement in 1930. After the signing of Gandhi-Irwin pact in 1931, Sardar Patel was released and he was elected Congress president for its 1931 session in Karachi

was independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister; played a key role in political integration of India

Conferred Bharat Ratna in 1991.

CONTRIBUTION

INTEGRATION OF PRINCELY STATES - There were 565 princely states in India at that time. Some of the Maharajas and Nawabs who ruled over these were sensible and patriotic. But most of them were drunk with wealth and power. They were dreaming of becoming independent rulers once the British quit India. They argued that the government of free India should treat them as equals. Some of them went to the extent of planning to send their representatives to the United Nations Organization. Patel invoked the patriotism of India's monarchs, asking them to join in the freedom of their nation and act as responsible rulers who cared about the future of their people. He persuaded the princes of 565 states of the impossibility of independence from the Indian republic, especially in the presence of growing opposition from their subjects. With

great wisdom and political foresight, he consolidated the small kingdoms. The public was with him. He tackled the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Nawab of Junagarh who initially did not want to join India.

Reorganization of civil services - During the freedom struggle, the Indian Civil Service was on the other side of the fence and incurred the wrath of the Congress leaders. Nehru berated it as "neither Indian nor civil nor service".. He firmly believed that the All-India Services had a vital role to play in building a strong and united India. He advocated the retention of ICS and IP and proposed the constitution of two new All-India Services -- the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service. Patel's acknowledgement of the role of the Indian Civil Service boosted the morale of the officers and gave them a new sense of confidence and purpose.

QUALITIES

Ability of strong and fast Decision making skill - He was always known for his decision making.

Influence & Team Building - This is the most important characteristic of any leader is his influencing ability. Sardar Patel was full of this skill.

Conflict resolution - The great example of this, the way he consolidated Indian princely states.

Flexibility according to situation - His most inspiring characteristic was adaptability with any kind of situation. When he was moving from village to village to unite the India, he faced many hurdles.

Never ending Winning Spirit - His never ending winning spirit, dedication to work, loyalty to country always motivates me.

CONCLUSION

life of Sardar Patel is continuous flow of inspirations. This great leader was self-educated. He has nurtured many skills in his self by his own. The above-mentioned qualities about him are most desired in a manager also because problems never come after informing us. I used to peep into the book of ‘Sardar Patel- A dedicated life’ when I feel myself caught up in any very difficult problem and I am always able to find the solution out of it. It won’t be exaggeration to say that after Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel is the most saluted leader in India. I salute this great Leader.