Jaipur, Nov. 27 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday highlighted Sardar Vallabhai Patel's unique contribution to India's nationhood and said that it was unfortunate that he was "forgotten" and the contributions of a "single political family" were instead given all the limelight in independent India's history. Addressing a launch event for the "Sardar@150- Yamuna Pravah Yatra" in Jaipur's Amar Jawan Jyoti, Sharma urged young people to draw inspiration from Patel's life and place the idea of "Nation First" above everything else. He also marked Constitution Day by paying respects to Dr BR Ambedkar. Sharma said, "It was unfortunate that despite Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's monumental contribution to nation-building, he was largely forgotten." He added that attempts were made to erase Patel's role from the pages of independent India's history, and the respect he truly deserved was never given to him. Sharma added that the country was well aware of who was repeatedly glorified, stating that for decades, the contribution of only one family was celebrated in the story of India's freedom. Highlighting Patel's unwavering commitment to principles, the chief minister said that his leadership in the freedom struggle-especially the Bardoli Satyagraha-earned him the title 'Sardar.' Patel fought tirelessly for farmers' rights and even went to jail, but never compromised on his ideals, said the chief minister. Sharma reminded the audience that India, despite attaining freedom on 15 August 1947, was deeply fragmented. He added that with a total of 562 princely states functioning as separate entities, Patel, as independent India's first home minister, took on the monumental task of integrating them into one nation. Through diplomatic skill, strategic firmness and decisive action, he successfully brought each state into the Indian Union, said the chief minister. He also hailed Patel's key actions-Operation Polo to integrate Hyderabad and a public referendum to merge Junagadh-calling them milestones in strengthening India's unity and territorial integrity. The chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has carried forward Sardar Patel's legacy, completing his unfinished vision by abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. "From East to West and North to South, India is becoming one under the Prime Minister's leadership," he said, adding that the world's tallest statue-the Statue of Unity-was built to honour Patel's contributions to the nation. Sharma credited post-2014 India with major achievements: welfare schemes for the poor, extensive development work, decisive action against terrorism and left-wing extremism, and India's rising global stature. "The entire world now looks at India with hope, and under the leadership of the world's tallest leader, the nation is reaching new heights," he added. The "Yamuna Pravah Yatra" will see volunteers from Rajasthan and other states travel from Jaipur to Sardar Patel's birthplace, Karamsad, in Gujarat. Sharma said the journey offers a unique opportunity to understand Patel's struggle, discipline and nationalism up close. He emphasised five lessons every youth can learn from Patel: duty, honesty, truthfulness, determination and simplicity. The chief minister flagged off the Unity March after paying tribute to martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti by laying a wreath. Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was known across the country as the 'Iron Man', yet the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) did not participate in the freedom movement even when Patel had appealed to all. He added that it was Sardar Patel himself who had banned the RSS, and India's history celebrates Patel's pivotal role in the nation's unification. "However, the BJP refuses to acknowledge this history and is instead attempting to erase it," said Chaturvedi....