Embassy fetes national hero on special dayThe Indian Embassy of Bangkok is celebrating its National Unity Day on Sunday, capping a week of events as it pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a national hero born on this day in 1875 who played a leading role in unifying the nation and was later named its first deputy prime minister. The festivities kicked off with an exhibition of a portrait of Patel, attended by Pikulkaew Krairiksh, chairwoman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, and her husband. "Despite the separation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was able to approach everyone of those princely states to unify into one country," the ambassador said. "He brought them together as one country (showing them how) they would benefit by being part of India," she added. Together with the key role played by the Indian constitution, Patel had taught the states a valuable lesson about living together in harmony despite their differences.
