The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave his nod to constitute a 10-member high level committee under the Chairmanship of Member Secretary of the of the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial Foundation Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard to finalize the modalities for hiring the services of reputed architect for the construction of world class monument to showcase the unparalleled contribution of Punjabis in the National Freedom Struggle.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting of the Foundation here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. Apart from Mr. Barjinder Singh, the others members of this committee would include; Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Former Minister and senior BJP Minister Mr. Balram ji Dass Tandon, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Former Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu and Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channi. The Committee has been mandated by the Chief Minister to shortlist the best architect amongst the panel of renowned architects with a proven track of expertise, rich experience and architectural skills for such state-of-the-art monument. Mr. Badal asked the committee to consult the leading architects of the country who could suggest the names of their ilk in this field for this prestigious project. Likewise, the Chief Minister also appreciated the proposal put forth by Dr. Barjinder Singh regarding the preparation of feature -cum-documentary film on the different aspects of Indian Freedom Struggle besides the concept of Laser show to highlight the various watershed movements during the tryst for independence.
On the suggestion of Dr. Hamdard, the Chief Minister agreed to seek expertise of prominent film and TV personalities like Mr. Shyam Benegal, Mr. Gobind Nehlani and Mr. Parkash Jha for the proposed feature-cum-documentary film of 90 minutes duration on the Indian Independence Movement specially highlighting the role of Punjabis in English, Hindi and Punjabi. Mr. Badal also asked the sub-committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Hamdard with Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs, Noted Punjabi Theatre personality and playwright Mr. Kewal Dhaliwal, Eminent Film maker Mr. Amrik Singh Gill, Former MP Tarlochan Singh, VC Punjabi University, Patiala Prof. Jaspal Singh and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash as members besides prominent TV personality Mr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal as special invitee of the committee to negotiate with the reputed companies engaged in presenting the historic movements and incidents before the tourists through laser shows based on the light and sound technology. Mr. Badal highly appreciated such shows being depicted at Akshardham Temples at Ahmedabad and Delhi besides Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded.
The Chief Minister asked all the committees to meet frequently so that this gigantic task of utmost National importance to bring awakening amongst our youth especially the coming generations about our rich and glorious legacy to rekindle a spirit of patriotism in them by highlighting the golden moments of Indian Freedom Struggle. The Chief Minister also asked the members of the Foundation to complete all the formalities in a time bound manner so that this prestigious project could be completed within next two years and assured the Foundation that their would be no paucity of funds as the government was committed for its timely completion. Mr. Badal also gave approval to the Executive Committee for hiring the services of the EoI Consultant for finalizing the modalities for technical and financial bids besides authorizing to hire the services of any person or agency as deemed necessary for the project. Mr. Badal also directed the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the construction of Grid Separator near the site of the memorial, adding he said after the finalization of site plan, the civil works of the memorial should be entrusted to the renowned construction company of the country.
Prominent who attended the meeting included Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Former Minister and senior BJP Minister Mr. Balram ji Dass Tandon, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Former Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Managing Editor Ajit Group of Publications Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channi, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and CEO of Foundation Mr. Vinay Bublani.