In celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in Chicago hosted a Unity Walk, drawing over 60 attendees despite the brisk 50°F (10°C) weather. The event symbolized Patel’s enduring legacy of strength and national unity.
Several prominent figures graced the occasion, including FIA Trustees Kantibhai N. Patel, Dr. Rashmi Patel, Rakesh Malhotra, and Hina Trivedi, along with Executives Amar Upadhyay, Joy (Dipen) Shah, and Anil Singh. Community leaders such as Haribhai Patel, Sanjay Vora, Manish Patel, Vandana Jhingan, and Anurag Awasthi also participated, emphasizing Patel’s timeless message of unity.
The event commenced with the singing of both the American and Indian national anthems. FIA President Hemant Patel spoke about Sardar Patel’s remarkable leadership, explaining how the title “Sardar,” meaning leader, was earned through his courage during the Bardoli Satyagraha. He highlighted Patel’s monumental role in uniting 565 princely states into a single nation, asserting that without his leadership, India might have splintered into hundreds of separate kingdoms.
Amar Upadhyay reflected on Patel’s strong-willed actions in integrating Hyderabad and Junagadh, while community leaders Haribhai Patel, Dr. Rashmibhai Patel, and Sanjay Vora proposed building a Statue of Unity in Chicagoland as a permanent tribute to Patel’s contributions. Adding a personal touch, 89-year-old Kantibhai Patel recounted his memories of Sardar Patel helping villagers resist British rule.
The highlight of the event was the one-mile Unity Run, symbolizing solidarity and collective strength. The youngest participant, 9-year-old Aarav Ankleshwaria, joined by 89-year-old Kantibhai Patel and Kalpana Shah, received special recognition for embodying Patel’s spirit of unity across generations.
The FIA’s Unity Walk not only celebrated Patel’s 150th birth anniversary but also served as a reminder of his enduring message — that true strength lies in unity, courage, and collective purpose.
