PIB Summaries 16 December 2023

Home » PIB Summaries 16 December 2023

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Context:

The Prime Minister, has paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his Punya Tithi.

Relevance:

GS I- Modern History

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was an Indian politician.
He was the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Independent India.
He played an important role in the integration of many Indian princely states to make an Indian federation.
He took charge of the task to forge a united India from over 560 semi-autonomous princely states and British-era colonial provinces.
Using frank diplomacy backed with the option (and the use) of military action, Patel’s leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state.
Hence, he is recognized as the real unifier of India.
He is also remembered as the ‘Patron saint of India’s civil servants’ as he established the modern all-India services system. He is also hailed as the Iron Man of India.
Patel was in charge of the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas, in the Constituent Assembly of India.
Since 2014, every year on 31 October ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ or the National Unity Day is observed to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – an Indian politician who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and then during the integration of the country.
He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991.

The Statue of Unity which is built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is dedicated to the nation.
The Statue of Unity is the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
It is located on the Sadhu Bet island on the Narmada river, which flows between the Satpura and the Vindhya mountain ranges.

Context:

The Indian Navy recently commissioned INS Tarmugli, a fast attack craft (FAC), showcasing maritime diplomacy and strength.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Commissioning and Service:
- The ship, commissioned in the Indian Navy as INS Tillanchang, belonged to the Trinkat Class and served actively until 2006.
Diplomatic Gift to Maldives:
- In 2006, as part of diplomatic outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), INS Tillanchang was gifted to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) government of India.
Return to Indian Navy (May 2023):
- In May 2023, the ship was returned to the Indian Navy, equipped with MTU engines, advanced communication tools, and a radar system.
Coastal Surveillance and Protection:
- The warship is designated for extensive use in coastal surveillance and protection along the east coast of India.
Namesake:
- Named after Tarmugli Island, a small island in the Andaman group.