Sardar Patel was synonymous with trust and integrity, writes PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering a special tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, says the great unifier was also responsible for building India's great cooperative sector

The first half of 1947 was a critical period in India’s history. The end of colonial rule was certain and so was India’s partition, but what was uncertain was whether there would be more than one division. Prices were rising, food shortages were common but over and above everything else, the unity of India was under severe strain.

It was in these circumstances that the States Department came into being in June 1947. Among the chief aims of this Department was to give impetus and top priority to negotiations vis-à-vis India’s relationship with the over 550 Princely states, which were as