India has vast diversity. To unite every diversity is not an easy task. In 1947 after independence the colonies ruled by the British were under the control of the Indian government, the latter included 562 princely states. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first home minister of independent India, convinced the rulers to merge their kingdom with India, the majority agreed whereas few kingdoms disagreed i.e., Junagadh, Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur. Patel sends armed forces to conquer the cities. Later these kingdoms were merged and finally, there was a successful unification of India except Kashmir.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a major role in the unification of India, without his presence India would be divided into many small countries. To remember his contribution, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is celebrated as “NATIONAL UNITY DAY".
“Take to the path of dharma- the path of truth and justice. Don't misuse your valour. Remain united. March forward in all humility, but fully awake to the situation you face, demanding your rights and firmness.” -Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Few skills can help you to become a true leader like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
1. Unifying force: Unifying is a tough task unless the right strategies are used. Today's leader needs to learn the art of unifying with wisdom, insight, tact, and diplomacy. A leader who brings the different holders of organizations together is a true leader.
2. Curiosity to learn: Learning never goes in vain. A motivated learner can inspire the entire team to learn and develop themselves.
3. Visioning for a better tomorrow: A true leader visions a very big dream. Visioning gives us the courage and determination to go beyond obstacles and never give up till we reach our ultimate goal.
4. The Strength of Negotiation: Every leader should know working tirelessly, exploring all possible options, and ensuring win-win techniques.
5. Donning many hats: A leader has to play multiple roles. A leader has to maintain a collaborative and interactive environment. Inspiring, advising are a few examples of leadership tasks.
These were few skills that today's leaders have to learn and imbibe. As students, we have to develop such leadership qualities for a better future.
- Divya Suthar, XI
Hello, the generation of the 21st century.
Do you know me? I was at first brought to India in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie to serve the East India company but I still serve India in its 165th year of independence. I am a big red box who always eats letters from all over the town. Maybe you would not have noticed me. I am not of much use to you in the present times but I have very well known your grandfathers and grandmothers since they were teenagers. They used to come to me every Sunday and feed me with their letter. Even in a place like Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,500 feet above sea level, which has the highest post office in the world, your grandpas would come to me to drop letters. Many would write to their families, friends, teachers, schools, or colleges and drop in my mouth. It was my duty to safeguard them until they had been taken by the postman at once. Some would secretly write to their loved ones during their twenties and would not let their families know. I even recognize your fathers and mothers, not so clearly as they would come to me only when they were children.
In their childhood they would come to me even in a place, over the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, which is India’s only floating post office. Simply called the “Floating Post Office”, which is a houseboat that serves both as a post office and a philately (collection of stamps) museum and drop letters to me. The days would be wonderful. Many would make new friends when they would meet near me to drop their letters.
My use has gone down a lot in these past two decades. Everyone has been using the digital version of me , my grandson, that is the mailboxes like Gmail. During my period people would sit down and write their thoughts in an organized manner on paper. They would first think about what they had to convey and write it down. The outcome would be a great letter as they would put effort into thinking and write their thoughts and ideas as once a letter goes inside me, it will be taken out only by the postman. They would be very careful of the words put on the paper. This would result in great outcomes like getting admission into a college, a letter of approval from someone or even just knowing how a person is. These days, due to the digital instant transfer of messages, people don’t think about what they should and should not convey. They just speak it out and would end up in bizarre outcomes. Few will fight with their families, bosses, relations between friends would get spoiled.
The instant delivery has deprived everyone of the capacity to think and write. I have become a lot rusty and old. There is dust and spider webs all over me but don’t think I am not of any use. The government of India which has the largest postal system in the world with 1,54,939 post offices all over the country still uses me to send important official notices to organizations. The courier's you send from your house to a place are possible due to me. The most important part of your address which is the PIN without which any address is incomplete is the Postal Index Number, which is the number of the postal office in that area. You may think that my use is over but the old generation will always be to help and guide the young.
*World Postal Day is celebrated every year on 9th October to mark the establishment of the revolutionary communication mode of the common man, LETTERS...
- Krishna Kishore, XII