Om Birla Urges Youth to Uphold Unity & Build Developed India

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Nov: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called upon young people to uphold national unity and integrity and contribute to building a developed India, as he paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary at Samvidhan Sadan on Saturday.

Birla laid a floral tribute at Patel’s portrait in the Central Hall, where Union Ministers, MPs, senior parliamentary officials and other dignitaries also gathered to honour the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Leaders Pay Tribute to Sardar Patel
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Deputy Chairman Harivansh were among those who paid floral tributes.

Members of Parliament, including Nitin Nabin and Sonia Gandhi, former MPs and other dignitaries also attended the ceremony. Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh and Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody joined senior officials from both parliamentary secretariats.

Students from various colleges and schools were also present at the programme.

Patel’s Legacy Offers Lessons in Nation-Building
Addressing the young participants, Birla said Sardar Patel’s life reflected firm resolve, organisational ability, foresight and decisive leadership. He recalled Patel’s role in integrating around 560 princely states into the Indian Union after Independence, describing the achievement as central to India’s national unity.

The Speaker also highlighted Patel’s ability to engage in dialogue, take firm decisions when necessary and bring people together around a common national objective.

He said the diversity of opinions and perspectives expressed by students from different parts of the country reflected the strength of Indian democracy. While languages, cultures and viewpoints may differ, he stressed that commitment to national unity and the country’s larger interests must remain paramount.

Youth Have a Key Role in Building Developed India
Birla said the responsibility of taking the country forward now rests with the younger generation, which has access to opportunities in science, technology, education and innovation.

He urged students to use their knowledge, creativity, scientific temper and technological capabilities in the service of the nation. National interest, he said, should remain the foremost priority for young people working across different fields.

Referring to the historical importance of Samvidhan Sadan, Birla noted that the building had witnessed the freedom struggle and the making of the Constitution, apart from key deliberations shaping India’s social and economic development.

He expressed confidence that the ideas and experiences gained by the students during their visit would encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the vision of a developed India.

Calls for Inspiration from Patel’s Ideals
In his message on X earlier in the day, Birla described Patel as a visionary leader whose determination and leadership gave direction to India’s unity, integrity and sovereignty.

He recalled Patel’s contribution to the freedom struggle and the integration of more than 562 princely states, adding that National Unity Day serves as a reminder of every citizen’s responsibility to protect the country’s unity, integrity and security.

Birla expressed hope that young Indians would carry forward Patel’s ideals of hard work, confidence and commitment, helping India emerge as a force capable of contributing solutions to global challenges.