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Kavita Chelliah
The `Iron Man of India' and `Sardar' of the Indian freedom struggle Vallabhbhai J. Patel is no doubt one of the great makers of free India. Born in a small village in a peasant's family he rose by his own merit to become a well known personality.
``That there is today an India to think and talk about is very largely due to Sardar Patel's statesmanship & firm administration,'' according to India's first President Rajendra Prasad. Another prominent freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari wrote in 1970,``undoubtedly it would have been better if Nehru had been asked to be Foreign Minister and Patel made the Prime Minister.''
Sardar Patel was brave from his childhood and his forwardness caused him problems in school itself. Still, he became a barrister with his own efforts. Drawn towards the freedom struggle by Gandhiji's call, he was the most obedient and staunch follower of Gandhiji's principles till his death.
Fulfiling his duties with complete commitment was his nature, be it as the leader of the Surat Council, leading the satyagrah of Bardoli, or as the first Home Minister of Free India. His foresight and immediate action resulted in the United Modern India - one strong union from the hundreds of small and large princely states. Though he was often criticised of being pro Hindu, it was his initiative that saved thousands of Muslims during the riots after Independence.
Sardar Patel was a true Nationalist Leader, who never used his position for personal gains and even had a fight with his son when asked to use his influence to get a job done. He had the distinguished reputation of being the star fund collector for the Congress Party for all its elections until his death.
Though he was long ignored by the politics of Congress in projecting the Nehru family, Sardar Patel was a freedom fighter, and his life shall be admired by innumerable souls for centuries to come.
Rajesh S. Agarwal
Many Marathas made great contribution for their motherland and one of them was Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Born in the month of Vaishakh at the Shivneri fort near Junnar this small boy, grew up as a great King of the Maratha kingdom and fought bravely against the enemies.
Shivaji Maharaj was a kind hearted, noble and good king who was also very courageous. He was very talented and patriotic.
Due to his cleverness he managed to escape from the clutches of the Emperor Aurangazeb. Trade and agriculture were encouraged during his time. He saw that all his people were happy in the kingdom and his happiness lay in the happiness of his people. He was very generous due to which all people loved him. He respected all religions and protected the temples of the Hindu, the mosques of the Muslim and churches of the Christian. All people in the kingdom were given equal rights and equally treated without caste distinctions. Whenever anybody was in trouble, Shivaji Maharaj himself went to rescue him.
He saw that no damage was done to the poor and that their crop and holy places were protected during war. He saw that nobody was harassed or enslaved in his kingdom. He punished the people and officers who were found to be guilty or violating laws. He was very much against corruption and took strict steps against corrupt people. The soldiers of Shivaji Maharaj were very loyal, brave and efficient. Talented and efficient people were selected for jobs. The people's talent and hardwork was always admired. During his reign, women were given great respect and honour. Under him, the Maratha kingdom expanded and threw out the enemy. His period will always be written in golden words in Maratha history. He was a great nation builder and that is why he is my favourite historical figure.
Sudhakar S. Raghatwan
Indian history is rich with great personalities like Shivaji, Rana Pratap and the Rani of Jhansi. However, my favourite historical figure is king Ashoka.
Ashoka was the governor of the cities of Takshila and Ujjain before he became a king. A brave and powerful king, Ashoka wanted to expand his kingdom and waged a war against Kalinga. A day after his victory, he visited the battle ground. He was shocked to see death and destruction everywhere. Soon afterwards, he vowed not to touch weapons and devoted his whole life to the principle of winning the world with love.
He followed the path of peace which is sorely needed in today's world. That's why I choose king Ashoka as my favourite historical figure.
Nihal Kanbargi
I admire many great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Laxmibai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But my favourite historical figure is Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda belonged to the 19th century, and yet his preachings, massages and the story of his life are as fresh today as they were in the past. They will probably be more relevant in the future, because great people are not deterred by physical death, but exist by their thoughts. People like Swami Vivekananda live by their thoughts, their deeds and they go on winning trophies for years without their existence.
The world is on the stage of total devastation and only if we practise the preachings of people like Swami Vivekananda can humanity be saved from its disastrous end. Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa was the guru of Swami Vivekananda, with whose teachings Vivekananda warned the western countries that they could avert their disastrous end by practicing spirituality, harmony and peace. Swami Vivekananda had lived his life for the downtrodden, the poor, the untouchables, the miserable and for the upliftment of human values. Vivekananda had once said during his preachings abroad, ``could mud be washed with mud? Could blood be washed with blood?'' This was the message of the ancient philosophy of India and used to be confined to just a few. He preached it to the entire world. He admired his motherland. He wanted the young generation of India to form their own separate identity and not imitate the western culture.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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