“The Punjab Government under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh would specially preserve and maintain the monuments and places of the state holding historical and cultural value and develop these as tourist spots so as to make people aware at National and International level regarding the glorious historical annals of Punjab.” This was disclosed by the Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu here today at hussainiwala martyrs memorial while interacting with the mediapersons after paying glowing tributes to the martyrs. He was accompanied by MLA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, MLA Bibi Satkar Kaur Gehri, President District Congress Committee Mr. Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa and ex- Minister Mr. Inderjit Singh Zira.The minister said that the case pertaining to re-opening of hussainiwala border for trade between India and Pakistan, as was done before 1971 war, would be strongly argued before the Union Government. He also said that if trade can be carried through wagah border then why not through hussainiwala also? He further said that after opening of this trade route, an atmosphere of peace and tranquility would prevail between the 2 nations besides strengthening the economic, religious and social bonds.
Mr. Sidhu also divulged that the Punjab Government would make special efforts to bring to fore the historical importance of martyrs memorial hussainiwala, sites of battles of Mudki, Ferozshah, and Sobhaon fought during Anglo-Sikh war, Gurudwara Saragarhi Sahib Ferozpur Cantonment and develop these as the tourist centres bringing them on the global map. He also said that a team would be sent to Ferozpur for the purpose by the Chief Minister which would apprise him of the works to be carried out with regard to these historical places. On the occasion, Mr. Sidhu on the demand of the people of Ferozepur announced that the place where freedom fighters used to take shelter in toori bazaar area, which has been notified by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, would be turned into a befitting memorial as a mark of respect to the martyrs. He also disclosed that more than Rs. 20 lakh would be spent for the purpose so as to enable people to draw more and more inspiration from this historical place.
Earlier, Senior congress leader and MLA (Guru Harsahai) Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi welcomed Mr. Sidhu and other prominent leaders on reaching Ferozepur. He laid stress on the need to preserve the rich and glorious religious, historical and ancient cultural heritage of Ferozepur. He made a demand from the Chief Minister and Mr. Sidhu that special steps be taken to make the significance of Hussainiwala, Mudki, Ferozshah, Sobhraon and Guru Harsahai reach the farthest corners of the world. The minister assured Mr. Sodhi that the demands raised by him would be taken up with utmost seriousness by the State Government.Among others present on the occasion included Commissioner , Ferozepur Division Mr. V.K. Meena, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ramvir, SSP Mr. Gaurav Garg, Mr. Harjinder Singh Bittu Mangha, Mr.Gurdeep Singh Dhillon, Mr. Ravi Sharma, Mr. Harinder Singh Khosa, Mr.Gurbhej Singh Tibbi, Mr. Dharamjit Singh, Mr. Amritpal Singh, Mr. Balbir Singh Batth, Mr. Ajay Joshi, Mr. Rinku Grover and others.