Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s letter to Jawaharlal Nehru on his birthday goes viral; here’s what he wrote

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: On former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday, an old letter from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the former has gone viral on social media.

The letter, dated 14 November 1950, was shared on Twitter by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

“My affectionate greetings on your birthday,” begins Sardar Patel. “Relations between us transcend formalities, and I need hardly say anything more than this; it is my fervent and heart-felt prayer that you may live long and well to lead the country through all difficulties and establish in it an era of peace, happiness and prosperity.”

“I so much wanted to write to you earlier, but I have been feeling out of sorts since yesterday morning and could not do so,” he finished.

Sharing the letter, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote: “Patel to Nehru,Nov 14 1950—”it is my fervent and heart-felt prayer that you may live long and well to lead the country through all difficulties and establish in it an era of peace, happiness and prosperity”. This was a month before Sardar passed away. He was seriously ill by then.”

Several Congress leaders on Sunday paid rich tributes to PM Nehru.

Interim President Sonia Gandhi visited the Shanti Van in the morning to pay her tributes.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “‘What we need is a generation of peace’ – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Remembering India’s first Prime Minister who greatly valued truth, unity and peace. ”

The Congress said, “On Chacha Nehru’s birth anniversary, we wish for the bright & prosperous future of each & every child in India.Our commitment to the nation’s future is unrelenting.”

The Congress leaders paid tribute to its stalwart and from Sunday the party is starting a nationwide agitation against inflation and price rise.

(With IANS inputs)