Puducherry: Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and Chief Rector of Pondicherry University K Kailashnathan on Thursday inaugurated a two-day national seminar on “The Idea of Indian National Integration through the Vision of the Iron Man of India”, organised by the university in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.

The seminar marks the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and has received 150 research abstracts from across the country, of which 90 were shortlisted, representing 16 states and 30 universities.

In his inaugural address, Kailashnathan described Patel as a patriot, unifier and nation-builder, recalling his role in integrating princely states with the help of V P Menon. Citing the construction of the Statue of Unity, he stressed Patel's enduring legacy of unity and remarked that had Patel been given complete authority, the Kashmir issue might have been resolved early. He reiterated values of diversity, secularism and harmony, saying, “India belongs to all and all belong to India.”

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof P Prakash Babu praised Patel's leadership in unifying 560 princely states and called on participants to reflect on their role in building Viksit Bharat 2047. Senior advocate R Shankaranarayanan highlighted Patel's diplomatic efforts in Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir, urging participants to adopt the principle of “nation first, citizens next, self-last.”

The seminar will feature presentations on Patel's vision of national integration and its relevance to contemporary India.