“The British rulers sought to divide India into 562 small princely states and leave the country weakened. At that critical juncture, Sardar Patel, through his extraordinary diplomacy, statesmanship and courage, brought all those princely states together and built the united India we see today. Had there been no Sardar Patel, the geographical India that we see today would not have existed,” Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in Hyderabad.
The union minister Shekhawat was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, organised by Bharat Bharati supported by Ministry of Culture under the theme “Ek Bharat – Shreshtha Bharat” at the Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on May 31, 2026.
Describing Patel as the architect of India’s unity and integration, the Union Minister said, “Any nation can achieve development only through the unity and peace of its people, and this was a principle strongly advocated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also following the path shown by Patel and is leading the country forward in unity.”
On this occasion, ‘Ek Bharat – Shreshtha Bharat 2026’ awards were presented to 10 individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions in various fields across the country.
Dr B. S. Murty – Director, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Institute Professor – IIT Madras, and renowned material scientist.
Kannatt Surendran – Entrepreneur and Business leader.
Ayush Nadimpalli – CEO of Adroitec Engineering solutions, Director of Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited and General secretary of Samvit Kendra, a Hyderabad based research group, for leadership in technology entrepreneurship and nation-building by public engagement and innovation.
Jaya Prada Devi – Social worker; Kishori Vikas Project leader from Seva Bharati; women’s empowerment advocate; family and child counsellor.
Srinivasa Alluri – Founder and President, Manavata Foundation; Founder, Sandata Technologies
Dr Anita Jagota – Senior Professor, University of Hyderabad; Neuro Biology researcher, fellow of Indian academy of Neurosciences.
Dr Jagannath Nayak- Distinguished Scientist & Director (CHESS) – DRDO, Distinguished Follow – ASI, INAE & IETE
Madhuram Reddy – Industrialist and Infrastructure leader, Sustainable Farming Advocate and Agri-Innovator
Jasmat Patel – Champion of Cow Welfare (Gau Seva) Philanthropist, Social Leader and Humanitarian.
Dr B. V. Ramkumar – NIEPED, Disability Rights Advocate, Institution Builder and Public Policy Leader.
Among those present at the programme were Rohit Gopal Shrutiji Maharaj, Peethadhipathi of Mewar Math, Rajasthan; BJP leaders Dr N. Goutham Rao and Vemula Ashok; and Bharat Bharati representatives Kapila Gopala Saraswati, Narayana Reddy, Vinay Patralay, Ale Bhaskar, Jasmat Patel and Sanjay Ghanate, among others.
