Bhadran, a village in Gujarat, is home to a colourful history of revolutionaries, motivational freedom-struggle graffiti, and timeless slogans. There lives a fierce fighter, who once walked in the footsteps of Hind Azaj Fauj leader Subhash Chandra Bose. Shantaben Patel, who is now 104 years old, was imprisoned in 1942 for taking part in the Quit India Movement and served time at Yerwada Jail.
No one is more ideal than her in terms of patriotism and work ethic. During a convention at Haripura, she stopped Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's car for not having Indian tricolours. That time, she allowed Subhash Chandra Bose to go ahead only after putting the Indian tricolours on his car and convoy. Her determination was also appreciated by Subhash Chandra Bose.
Mahatma Gandhi questioned Subhash Chandra Bose why he was late for the convention and he spoke to Gandhiji about Shantaben Patel. Hearing this, Mahatma Gandhi also praised her work for maintaining the honour of the tricolour and said, 'The country is bright only with such fierce leaders.
Shantaben Patel also served imprisonment with Gandhiji and she also helped Gandhiji's non-violent movement by selling her jewellery. Even now, she continues to set an example of patriotism for the villagers by telling the tales of the struggle for freedom with all of her zest and spirit. She inspires the youth by bringing up her 1936 freedom movement.
During political festivals, Shantaben Patel receives many visits from political figures and engages them in conversation. She suggests the crucial duties for these state government officials in addition to this. She claims that the village of Bhadran made significant contributions to the war for liberation; Gandhiji, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhash Chandra Bose all paid the village a visit in support of the freedom cause.
