During birthday of Sardar Patel on 31-10-2013 , I remembered the interview of Nirmal Vaswani which I read on website stating that land was allotted by Maharao of Kachchh for rehabilitation of Sindhis from Pakistan , but due to merger of Princely state Kachchh in India all the transfer of land by Princely state to the relatives or others became null and void in year 1950. Hence Maharao could not transfer the allotted land to Sindhu Resettlement Corporation where as development was in progress. So Bhai Pratap approched to Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Minister of States Vallabbhai Patel and they both assured them for some solution. In year 1955 as a negotiation 2600 acres of land was given to Sindhu Resettlement Corporation and rest of land was given to Kandla Port Trust on lease and Kandla Port Trust could allot the land who wish to settle in Gandhidham.
As per my knowledge initially 4000 houses were being constructed by Sindhu Resettlement Corporation and the area was called as “ Char Hazaar”, there after the area was initially named as “ Sardarganj” . At present a dispensary run by government exists near “ Jhanda Chowk” Gandhidham named as Sardaganj Davakhanu.
In front of Gandhidham Railway station stands a statue of Sardar Patel due to same.
Name of Gandhidham was given as the town was established on 12th Day of Gandhi’s death and ashes of Mahatma were flown in Kandla creek and Gandhi Samadhi was established at Adipur.
It was effort of Sardar Patel to merge all Princely states. It would be better that Kandla Port which is major international sea port of the country be named after Sardar Patel. Why such representation is not made by our leaders of Gujarat. Also name Kandla does not have any sentimental attachment for Kachchh or Gujarat.
It shall be proud to live in a place which is named after Gandhi and nearby port which is suggested to be named after Sardar Patel.
ramchandanidays 