The News Minute| October 23, 2014| 2.00 pm ISTBy this time New Delhi should have many posters and images of assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who was felled by her own bodyguards on October 31st 1984.During her last public speech before the tragedy, she had spoken the following words at a public gathering in Odisha. “Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop if my blood …will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it a strong and dynamic,†she had said in a stirring address two days before her assassination leading many to believe she had a premonition of her impending death. Something will change this October 31st. The Narendra Modi led NDA government is all set to launch the Rashtriya Eekta Divas (National Unity Day) next week to pay tribute to the man who united India’s over 560 princely states, given the option of joining either India or Pakistan threw in their lot with India due to the ground work and efforts of one man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first home minister assisted by his assistant and senior civil servant V.P. Menon. "Awareness about Sardar Patel's contribution is very low...which is very unfortunate. Recently, I came to know that in the history book of Class X, there is mention of Sardar Patel only once," Javadekar told reporters. Sardar Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India", was instrumental in the merger of over 500 princely states to create a modern India, just after Independence between 1947-1949, the minister said. The Union Ministry is tasked with developing this day into one of national recognition of unity and the Urban Development Ministry is also expected to announce plans to build 30 million houses for the urban poor by 2022. The cost for the housing scheme – currently estimated at Rs. 22 lakh crores – will be generated through public-private partnership schemes. The larger point that will be made by dedicating the day to the man who united India is that historians have failed to note the monumental contribution of Patel to the emergence of the Indian republic against significant odds, not the least of which was the question of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir which had large Muslim populations. While he did not rule out the use of force, it was his power of negotiation and persuasion that convinced the many kings and rulers that the Congress party was not inimical to their demands. A new chapter of history will most likely be written this October 31st recalling the role of one of India’s greatest heroes whose story was buried under like many others who contributed generously to India’s freedom struggle.In October 2013, Modi had announced the construction of the 182-metre-tall statue of ‘Iron Man’ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat and thr project cost is estimated to touch Rs 2,500 crores. This project has come under severe criticism from many quarters.Pic courtesy- "Sardar patel (cropped)" by Government of India work.