The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today underscored the need for completing the ongoing work on prestigious ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial, to come at Kartarpur near Jalandhar, in stipulated time period so that it could be dedicated to the nation in the next year. Chairing the meeting of ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ foundation here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon, the Chief Minister reiterated that there was no dearth of funds for this ‘dream project’ aimed at showcasing the valuable contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. He said that this project must be completed within 18 months so that it was dedicated to the people by the year 2016. “This project is of immense importance so we must pull all the stops to ensure that it is completed as soon as possible” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister further said that this classic memorial of utmost historical significance and immense emotive value especially to Punjabis should come on the ground at the earliest in order to pay befitting tributes to several unsung heroes of national freedom struggle. He also underscored the need to execute this entire project in a time bound manner so that the supreme and unparalleled sacrifices made by the martyrs of the freedom struggle could be showcased in a proper perspective. Mr. Badal said that this memorial would certainly infuse the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst the youngsters so that they could take pride in the country's rich legacy.
Lauding the marvellous efforts being made by the foundation especially its member secretary Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard for initiating the work on this project, the Chief Minister said that this project could be completed only with such exemplary dedication and commitment. He also said that in order to further streamline the pace of project the meetings of the foundation would be now held regularly at close intervals. Meanwhile, the foundation gave its concurrence for evolving a ‘monitoring mechanism’ for the project so that a regular tab could be kept on its day-to-day progress besides ensuring quality control in the work. The foundation also gave its go ahead for hiring an expert for supervising the work of construction of state-of-the art museum to showcase the freedom movement in artistic galleries. It was also decided that Laser shows to be organised outdoor at night in the memorial on the pattern of one being organised in Takht Sri Hazur Sahib.
Earlier the Chief Editor of the Ajit Group of Newspapers and Member Secretary of the foundation Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard informed the members of the foundation about the progress so far made in the project. He also informed that film being made in Hindi, English and Punjabi by eminent Filmmaker Mr. Shyam Benegal would be completed by the year end as 80% work on the movie has been completed. Likewise, Dr. Hamdard also briefed the Chief Minister that the work on four walling of the project site would also be completed within a month.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, MLA Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chairman of the Punjab State Board of Technical Education & Industrial Training Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhanwra, Special Seceretary Finnace Mrs. Guneet Tej and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Kamal Kishore Yadav.