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Reviving Veer Vithalbhai Patel's Legacy: A Democratic Duty, Says RS Dy Chairman

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh stated that a society forgetting its history loses its moral direction and future. He spoke at the launch of a coffee table book on Veer Vithalbhai Patel, calling the revival of his legacy a democratic responsibility. Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta highlighted Patel's role as a revolutionary and foundational figure for Indian parliamentary democracy who guided leaders like Sardar Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose. The event featured a documentary and a QR code to make the historical work accessible to a wider public.

Key Points: Society Forgetting History Loses Moral Direction: RS Deputy Chairman

  • History as democracy's foundation
  • Reviving Veer Vithalbhai Patel's legacy
  • Book on decisive freedom struggle phase
  • QR code for public access
  • Patel guided major national leaders
2 min read

Society that forgets its history loses moral direction: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh emphasizes history as the foundation of democracy at a book symposium for Veer Vithalbhai Patel.

"History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which democratic institutions, public consciousness, and national character are built. - Harivansh Narayan Singh"

New Delhi, Jan 17

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh said on Saturday that a society that forgets its history loses not only its future but also its moral direction.

Addressing a symposium on the coffee table book "Shri Veer Vithal Bhai Ki Gaurav Gatha: Ek Shatabdi Yatra", brought out by the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat, at New Delhi World Book Fair, the Deputy Chairman said, "History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which democratic institutions, public consciousness, and national character are built."

A QR code was formally launched to enable citizens to access and purchase the coffee table book, thereby extending the reach of this significant historical work to a wider readership.

Harivansh Narayan Singh said that reviving the legacy of Veer Vithalbhai Patel is therefore not an academic exercise, but a democratic responsibility.

He commended the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat for reviving a largely forgotten chapter of India's freedom struggle through a meticulously researched and documented publication.

He described the book as an authentic historical record of one of the most vibrant and decisive phases of Indian history.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said that the period from 1912 to 1933 constituted the most decisive phase of India's freedom movement, culminating with the passing of Veer Vithalbhai Patel on October 22, 1933.

He described Patel as a revolutionary, freedom fighter, and legislative leader who laid the institutional foundations of Indian parliamentary democracy.

The Speaker observed that Veer Vithalbhai Patel guided national leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose, and noted that in the years to come, he would be recognised as one of the architects of India's independence.

The symposium was attended by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and former Chairman, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ramesh Chandra Gaur, Chairman, Kala Nidhi Trust, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), and Manisha Choudhary, Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Delhi, along with academicians, historians, students, and members of the public.

The symposium also featured the screening of the documentary film "Shri Veer Vithalbhai Ki Gaurav Ki Gaatha", narrated by Padma Bhushan awardee Anupam Kher.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
A QR code to buy the book is a smart move! Makes history accessible to the youth. We need more such initiatives to document our freedom struggle beyond just Gandhi and Nehru.
R
Rohit P
While I agree with the sentiment, I respectfully feel our history curriculum needs a complete overhaul. One symposium or book isn't enough. Our children learn more about foreign history than our own unsung heroes.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in India for work, I find the depth of history here fascinating. It's important for any nation to remember its founders and the principles they fought for. This seems like a worthy project.
V
Vikram M
"History is the foundation of national character." Well said. In today's times of quick headlines and social media debates, we have forgotten the sacrifices and the long constitutional journey. Jai Hind.
K
Karthik V
Good to see Vithalbhai Patel getting recognition. He was indeed a key architect of our parliamentary traditions. Hope the documentary with Anupam Kher is also made available online for all to see.

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