Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to preserve the rich-cultural heritage of the state, the Punjab Welfare Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike today said that the state government has pumped in nearly Rs 1000 crore for constructing the memorials to immortalize the memory of the great and unparalleled role played by our great heroes and martyrs in shaping the course of human history.Addressing the gathering during the state level function to mark 170thmartyrdom day of General Sham Singh Attariwala here today Mr. Ranike gave a clarion call to younger generations to tread the path shown by our great martyrs to realize their dream of healthy society. Accompanied by former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and Chief of Army Staff Gen. J.J. Singh and other dignitaries, Mr. Ranike, while paying the floral tributes to the legendary General, said that Punjab Government was fully committed to keep younger generations intact with our rich heritage.Mr. Ranike said that the peerless sacrifices made by Punjabis had played a pivotal role to get the country independent.Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varun Roojam, descendants of General Attariwala namely Col. Harinder Singh Attari and Col Kuldip Singh Sidhu, the Minister further said that strenuous efforts have been made by the state government to preserve the glorious cultural legacy of the state by building world class monuments at a cost of nearly Rs 1000 crore. He said that these monuments were acting as lighthouses to inculcate a feeling of self sacrifice and patriotism amongst the youth of the state. The Minister said that Punjab was the only state in the country to have taken such massive steps to preserve the socio-cultural legacy of the state.
Recalling the peerless sacrifice made by General Sham Singh Attariwal in the first Anglo-Sikh war at Sabraon on this day in 1846, Mr. Ranike said that Sardar Sham Singh Attari was one of the greatest warriors of India, who, preferred death to thralldom and by his own example made it clear to his countrymen that nothing was more precious than independence and freedom from the foreign yoke. He said that his superb example was a beacon and a source of inspiration to the numerous freedom fighters, who fought against the British from 1846 to 1947.Former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and Chief of Army Staff Gen J.J. Singh also paid floral tributes to the legendary Sikh general. In his address former Army Chief said the sacrifice made by General Attariwala was a sacrifice for prestige of country, which had also been admired by Britishers after the Sabraon war culminated in. He said that General Sham Singh Attariwala would always be a source of inspiration for our younger generations, who fought against the British forces till last breath and did not leave battlefield.Meanwhile, Gen J.J. Singh also visited Attari, the native village of General Sham Singh Attariwala, where he took a round of General Sham Singh Attariwala Museum.
The office bearers of General Sham Singh Attariwala Trust also presented a memento to General J.J. Singh after Bhog ceremony. Former Chief of Army Staff also awarded the descendants of General Sham Singh Attariwala with mementoes and Lohi.Earlier Mr. Ranike also announced a grant of Rs. 2 lakh to the General Sham Singh Attariwala Trust for the maintenance of monument constructed at Naraingarh in the memory of General Attariwala.Prominent amongst others who paid tributes included Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varun Roojam, GOC 15 Inf. Div. Major General Sanjay Thapa laid the wreath on behalf of Lt. Gen K.J. Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Commnand, descendants of General Sham Singh Attari, including Col KS Sidhu, Col Harinder Singh.