In order to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced a complete facelift of Dhudike village-his birth place in Moga district at a cost of Rs. 14.39 crore.A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal during a meeting of organizing committee to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai here at CMR this morning.During the meeting, the Chief Minister gave approval for a slew of development works in this historic village including construction of auditorium with balcony having a seating capacity of 300 persons at a cost of Rs. five crore besides installation of Astroturf in Hockey stadium at a cost of Rs. 4.50 crore at Lala Lajpat Rai Government College (LLRGC).
The Chief Minister also gave approval of Rs. two crore for the Infrastructural up-gradation of LLRGC including repair & renovation of existing college building, construction of new Administration Block, record room besides ramp block to facilitate access of specially abled students to the first floor etc. The Chief Minister also directed the Secretary Higher Education to immediately start these works so as to ensure its completion by January, 2016.Acceding to a major demand of the residents of region, the Chief Minister also gave his nod for strengthening & widening of road from 10 to 18 feet of link road from NH-95 to Dhudike via Chuhar Chak of length 8.10 Kms worth Rs. 2.55 crore. He also gave approval of Rs. 8 lac to repair approach road within the village leading to Lala Lajpat Rai Janam Asthan Memorial connecting the main road besides approving Rs. 20 lac for renovation of Janam Asthan Memorial. To facilitate the people to have hassle free access to village Dhudike from NH-95, the Chief Minister said that he would soon personally take up the issue of constructing a new Railway over Bridge (RoB) on this stretch by GoI with the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on top priority.
The Chief Minister also directed the departments of School and Higher Education to organize a series of seminars, symposiums and declamation contests in all schools and colleges across the state to perpetuate the rich legacy of Lala Lajpat Rai through his philosophy, life and works. Mr. Badal hoped this initiative on part of these educational institutions would help in inculcating a sense of nationalism and patriotism amongst our youth. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting including Cabinet Ministers Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal and Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary Higher Education Mr. A. Venu Prasad, Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Rahul Tiwari, DGSE Mr. Pardeep Agarwal, Director Local Government Mr. Priyank Bharti and Deputy Commissioner Moga Mr. DPS Kharbanda.