Letter to BS: Sardar Patel is being remembered because of his giant statue

This refers “Sardar stands tallest” (October 31). Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is being remembered because of the unveiling of his giant statue, an engineering feat. I am not sure whether he would have liked such a costly way to perpetuate his memory. I remember him for his sternness, coupled with softness and simplicity. I had the occasion to watch him once.

It was early in 1948, a few days after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. I was living in Alwar, the then capital of a princely state. The Maharaja was claiming that he was a sovereign monarch and not under the authority of the