Introduction
I had the privilege of participating in a national seminar on “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the Role of Civil Services in National Unity” at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, on 27 June 2025. As a panelist in the session titled “Governance and Development: The Role of Civil Society”, I revisited the writings and speeches of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. To my pleasant surprise, I discovered that the Iron Man of India was not only a statesman of national unification but also a passionate advocate of Gram Swaraj and local governance—a vision that remains remarkably relevant today.
More Than the 'Iron Man': A Visionary of Participatory Democracy
Sardar Patel is widely remembered for unifying over 560 princely states into the Indian Union—a political achievement immortalized by the towering Statue of Unity in Gujarat. However, his thinking went far beyond territorial consolidation.
He once said:
“National unity is not just geographical—it is the trust between the State and its citizens. Let civil services and civil society co-author India’s journey towards a just and equitable democracy.”
This powerful statement elevates him beyond the rigid image of a statesman. He recognized early on that representative democracy risks distancing the State from its citizens unless anchored in trust and participation. He believed that the partnership of civil services and civil society was essential to build a more just and equitable society.
A Grounded Leader: Municipal Governance as a Training Ground
Patel’s commitment to local governance was not theoretical. He began his public career as a member of the Ahmedabad Municipal Board (1917–1923) and later served as its Chairman (1924–1928). During a severe plague outbreak, he personally supervised relief and sanitation work, earning the admiration of the public.
He once remarked:
“If you really want to learn administration, go to a municipality… It is here that a leader is tested, not in Parliament.”
This observation remains profoundly relevant. Reflecting on the recent COVID-19 pandemic, few municipal leaders stood out or took charge in their cities or towns. Documenting such quiet heroes—often overlooked by mainstream media—would be a tribute to Patel’s belief in local leadership.
Panchayati Raj: A Constitutional Aspiration Still in Progress
In the Constituent Assembly, Patel advocated for the constitutional recognition of Panchayats, emphasizing their financial and administrative autonomy, and insisted on integrating their deliberations into district planning. However, these aspirations materialized only decades later through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
Even today, the dream of genuine autonomy remains unfulfilled. Annual Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), while institutionalized, are often driven from the top by administrative priorities rather than shaped by community aspirations. These plans have become largely techno-managerial, aimed at releasing funds under convergence frameworks, with limited space for local vision.
Moreover, the three-tier PRI system (district–block–village) continues to suffer from unclear mandates, limited coordination, and fragmented roles. District Planning Committees (DPCs)—the constitutional mechanism for integrated planning—remain tokenistic, under-resourced, and politically weak.
Co-operatives and Women's Collectives as Schools of Democracy
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the earliest and most committed proponents of the co-operative movement in India. He firmly believed that co-operatives were not merely instruments for financial or economic gain, but vital platforms for building rural solidarity, leadership, and participatory governance.
He often described co-operatives as “schools of democracy”—spaces where rural citizens could learn the principles of self-governance, mutual accountability, and transparency. Institutions like the Kheda District Co-operative Society and the Anand Milk Union (Amul) were shaped under his leadership and mentorship, demonstrating how collective enterprise could empower rural communities.
Patel’s vision in today’s context may be interpreted as a call to strengthen both co-operatives and self-help groups (SHGs) as foundational institutions of grassroots democracy. Without such community-rooted bodies, Gram Sabhas and Panchayats struggle to function as authentic local governments, often relying on directives from the district administration rather than citizen participation.
Thankfully, in many states across India, women’s SHGs and their federations have grown into powerful vehicles for economic development. However, structural inequalities and patriarchal norms continue to limit their participation in political spaces—even where legal reservations exist. Real transformation will require reinforcing both economic collectivization and democratic practice, enabling women and marginalized groups to lead with confidence and legitimacy.
Relevance That Endures
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of local governance is far from being realized, but it remains as practical, urgent, and inspirational as ever. It offers us hope, direction, and a blueprint for building a more participatory and just democracy—from the grassroots up.