Maniben Patel the daughter of Indian Iron man
Introduction
The Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, had a daughter named Maniben Patel. On April 3, 1903, Maniben Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat, India.
Vitthalbhai Patel, her uncle, raised her. She finished her primary schooling at Bombay's Queen Mary High School. She relocated to Ahmedabad in 1920 and enrolled at the Rashtriya Vidhyapith, a university founded by Mahatma Gandhi. After earning her degree in 1925, Patel continued to help her father.
She strongly backed her father's political endeavours and made a vital contribution to the cause for Indian independence. Maniben Patel committed her life to philanthropy and public service while remaining single. She continued to work for the welfare of society and actively participated in numerous social and humanitarian organisations after the death of her father in 1950. On October 6, 1996, Maniben Patel passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to the country.
Political career
1957 : Won Anand Lok Sabha seat in General Elections, as Congress candidate defeated Amin Dadubhai Mulji[3]
1962 : Lost to Narendrasinh Ranjithsinh Mahida of Swatantra Party from Anand Lok Sabha Seat, as Congress' candidate[4]
1964 to 1970 : Congress Member of Rajya Sabha
1973 : Entered Lok Sabha winning the by-poll from Sabarkantha as Congress(O) candidate, defeating Shantubhai Patel of Congress [5]
1977 : Won Mehsana Lok Sabha seat in General Elections defeating Natvarlal Amratlal Patel, as Janata Party candidate
She had positions in a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations while serving as a member of parliament. Maniben Patel put in a lot of effort to improve the status of marginalised groups in society as well as the welfare and empowerment of women.
Legacy of Maniben Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy was protected and promoted in large part because to Maniben Patel. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial near Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a result of her contributions.
Maniben Patel had a straightforward, modest life in which he dedicated himself to serving the country and its people. On October 6, 1996, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, honesty, and support for the battle for Indian independence.
Maniben was arrested during Quit India movement and was lodged in Pune’s Yerwada Jail from 1942 to 1945 Even at jail she followed her strict routine. She began her day with prayers followed by spinning, reading, walking, washing mending and looking after the sick inmates. Maniben was arrested again during the emergency in 1976. She always wore clothes from yarn spun by her. She travelled only in third class.
Life of Maniben Patel after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
After the death of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel the congress party neglected Maniben Patel and never bothered to even look for her as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was convinced by MKG th donate all of there belongings to the congress party leaving Maniben Patel in Poverty.
According to Varghese Kurien's book, Nehru allegedly forced Patel's daughter to live in abject poverty, which ultimately caused her death. Nehru cared to promote his bloodline while diminishing Sardar's significance in Indian history after securing his position as the country's prime minister.
“She was extremely disheartened and in a way, that incident revealed the extent of strain in the Nehru-Sardar Patel relationship. It was quite distressing that neither Nehru nor any of the national leaders of the Congress Party ever bothered to find out what happened to Maniben after her father died”, states Kurien.
Sardar Patel’s daughter Maniben grew blind when she was old and was often seen stumbling and falling on the streets of Ahmedabad. Having no money and being completely ignored by Congress, she, unfortunately, met a sad demise.
The disturbing tale starts with Patel’s death and Maniben’s hope for sympathy and kindness. “She (Maniben) told me that when Sardar Patel passed away, she picked up a book and a bag that belonged to him and went to meet Jawaharlal Nehru in Delhi. She handed them to Nehru, telling him that her father had instructed her that when he died she should give these items to Nehru and no one else. The bag contained Rs 35 lakh that belonged to the Congress Party and the book was the party’s book of accounts.”
Maniben did not expect a lot but rather some words and gestures of compassion."I figured he might inquire about how I would handle things now or at the very least inquire about what he could do to assist me. But he never inquired.
After the daughter of one of the most important members of Congress was neglected, Maniben had nowhere to go. She had no house or cars and traveled in 3rd class in trains. Furthermore, the Birlas offered to accommodate her but she preferred to live with her cousin in Ahmedabad.
Even after being elected to the Parliament, Maniben continued to live a humble life. “She wore only Khadi saris made out of thread she had spun herself and wherever she went she carried her spinning wheel,” Kurien added.
As if decades of trauma and poverty were not enough, congress showed up on Maniben’s doors while she was on her deathbed. Fancy pictures were flashed on news channels to cover up the Congress’s face and continue their charade of love and care.
Maniben in old age was not able to see properly and would go around the streets of Ahmedabad, often stumbling and falling on the road, till some passerby helped her get up on her feet.
After all the sacrifices that Sardar Patel made for the nation, it was very sad that the nation did nothing for his daughter. In her later years, when her eyesight weakened, she would walk unaided down the streets of Ahmedabad, often stumble and fall until some passerby helped her up. When she was dying, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Chimanbhai Patel,came to her bedside with a photographer. He stood behind her bed and instructed him to take a picture. The photograph was published in all the newspapers the next day.With a little effort, they could so easily have made her last years comfortable.
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