Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to commemorate the 150th birthday celebrations of legendary freedom fighter and son of soil Lala Lajpat Rai as a mega event to pay glorious tributes to the great patriot, who attained martyrdom to make our country free from the yoke of British imperialism.Presiding over the a high level meeting to review the arrangements for commemoration of 150th birthday of Lala Lajpat Rai at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon, Mr. Badal said that a state level function would be held at his native village Dhudike in Moga district to pay homage to this iconic personality of India’s freedom movement. Mr. Badal asked the MLAs and the representatives of SAD-BJP alliance of adjoining assembly constituencies to motivate the people for ensuring their huge participation in the function to pay tributes to this towering personality on his 150th birthday as a mark of deep reverence and honour.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister constituted an organizing committee comprising Cabinet Ministers Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Jathedar Tota Singh, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, President BJP Punjab State Unit Mr. Kamal Sharma besides SAD-BJP MLAs/their representatives of Ferozepur Urban and Rural, Zira, Ludhiana Urban and Rural, Jagraon, Raikot, Moga, Baghapurana, Dharamkot, Nihalsinghwala, Faridkot, Barnala, Bhadaur and Mehal Kalan assembly constituencies besides the Panchayat members of village Dhudike. This committee has been mandated to oversee the day-to-day arrangements related to the commemoration of this prestigious event.Meanwhile, Mr. Badal deputed his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema as the Nodal Officer to coordinate with all the departments involved in organizing the state level function on this historic occasion. Tourism and Cultural Affairs has been designated as the nodal department for the commemoration of Lala Lajpat Rai’s 150th birthday celebrations.
The Chief Minister asked the committee to convene a meeting tomorrow at village Dhudike at 3:00 PM to have on the spot assessment and finalize the arrangements accordingly especially related to food and refreshment, public conveniences and parking facility for the people.Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Cabinet Ministers Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Jathedar Tota Singh, President Punjab State BJP Unit Mr. Kamal Sharma, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Additional Chief Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. NS Kalsi, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anajali Bhawra, Secretary Expenditure Mr. Jaspal Singh, Secretary Coordination Mr. KAP Sinha, Director Culture Affairs Mr. Navjotpal Singh Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner Moga Mr. PS Gill, Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board Prof. Rajinder Bhandari besides MLA Faridkot Mr. Deep Malhotra, MLA Ferozepur Rural Mr. Joginder Singh Jindu, MLA Jagraon Mr. SR Kaler, MLA Bagha Purana Mr. Maheshinder Singh, MLA Nihalsinghwala Mrs. Rajvinder Kaur, Akali leaders from Bhadaur Mr. DS Guru and Mr. Goind Singh Kanjala from Mehal Kalan. Apart from these, several other leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and members of SGPC also participated in the meeting.