Work on Jang-e-Azaadi Memorial to begin soon

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, OCT 2

            In a bid to pay glorious tributes to the great martyrs and sons of the soil for their immense contribution in the Indian freedom struggle and to perpetuate their rich legacy, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that the construction work on the prestigious ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial would commence within next six months.

Presiding over the maiden meeting of Jang-e-Azaadi foundation here today at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that the work on this exemplary memorial to be erected over 25 acres of land at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district at the cost of Rs 100 crore would be completed in two years after its commencement.

Divulging the construction plan of the historic memorial, Mr Badal apprised the members of the foundation that the 25 acres of land earmarked for this purpose has already been transferred to the Cultural Affairs department by the Horticulture department and soon it would be allotted to the foundation for initiating the work on priority. Realizing the historic significance of this mega project, the state government was seriously contemplating to acquire some additional land for it. The Chief Minister reiterated that the site of the project has been carefully chosen by the state government as it lies on the National Highway Number 1, which would facilitate the people from the country and abroad to pay their homage to the great martyrs here.          

Highlighting the rationale behind the construction of this world class memorial, the Chief Minister said that Punjabis have spearheaded the national freedom movement from this land of martyrs by making supreme sacrifices at the altar of their motherland but the irony of the fate was that not only the majority of the countrymen but even the Punjabis were ignorant of our rich past. Therefore it was the bounden duty of the state government to perpetuate the rich legacy amongst the youngsters by constructing this memorial to imbibe the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst them, which was gradually fading away with the passage of time. He said that as soon as the foundation would clear the Detailed Project Report regarding the project submitted by the concept committee, the other necessary modalities for the memorial would be completed thereby paving way for the starting this ambitious project. Mr Badal said that this memorial would showcase rich heritage of supreme sacrifices made by our forefathers in the freedom struggle encompassing the era from the fall of Khalsa Raj to the attainment of independence in 1947.

The Chief Minister further said that this memorial would prove to be a ‘Beacon’ for our younger generations so as to acquaint them with the unrevealed facts of the history for which thorough research has been done by the concept committee of the memorial. Mr Badal also said that equipped with ultra modern techniques this memorial would provide vital information about the Indian freedom struggle in general and the enormous contribution of Punjabis in this ‘Great War’ against imperialism in particular. Describing Jang-e-Azaadi memorial as a ‘real tribute to the martyrs’, he said that there was no dearth of funds for it adding that the foundation and the state government were duty bound to collect all the relevant material present in context of movements like Ghadar which had originated on foreign land so as to add luster to this memorial. Envisioning this memorial to emerge as a major tourist destination in the country, the Chief Minister categorically asked the foundation to ensure its timely completion. 

Taking part in deliberations the Member Secretary of the foundation and the Editor-in-Chief of the Ajit group of Newspapers Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard lauded the unmatched commitment, devotion and enthusiasm shown by the Chief Minister for conceiving the idea of this memorial. Dr Hamdard said that this noble initiative of the state government would go a long way in preserving and showcasing the golden moments of our freedom struggle for younger generations. He also said that it was the need of the hour to construct such memorial because the spirit with which our martyrs had laid down their life for freeing India from the yoke of foreign imperialism needs to be highlighted.

During the meeting new executive committee of the foundation was also constituted with Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard as President, Mr Vinay Bublani as CEO and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr Som Parkash, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Kamal Sharma, MLA Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs SS Channy, Former MP Mr Tarlochan Singh and Vice Chancellor Punjabi University as members.

The meeting was also attended by Cabinet Minister Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr Som Parkash, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Rajya Sabha Members Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, former Cabinet Ministers Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Mr Balram Ji Dass Tandon, Principal Secretary Finance Mr Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr SS Channy, MD Markfed Dr Karamjit Singh Sra, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr Priyank Bharti, eminent historians Dr Kirpal Singh, Dr JS Grewal and Dr Harish C Sharma.