Mr. Henri Prevosat-Allard, Deputy Mayor and in charge of tourism of Saint Tropez, France today met Sohan Singh Thandal Tourism Minister Punjab in Chandigarh, in the office of Department of the Tourism. He invited the minister to come to France on the occasion of installation of bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Saint Tropez during the month of September.On this occasion, Mr. Thandal informed that Mr Henri Prevosat-Allard is a descendant of now General Allard who imparted training to the troops Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Mr. Henri Allard belongs to the fifth generation of General Allard, said he. Tourism Minister said that in order to express respect and regard towards Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Mr. Henri Allard has taken this initiative. He said that installation of the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Saint Tropez is a matter of great pride for Punjab. It will develop an epoch of Punjab -France relations and will give a boost to tourism.
Mr. Thandal further said that Punjab government will get the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh prepared by the country's leading sculptor and there after present it to the government of Saint Tropez. He said Mr. Henri Allard has personally come to invite the Chief Minister of Punjab and officials and Minister of the state Department of Tourism to Saint Tropez on September 17.Mr. Henri Prevosat-Allard said that on 16th , 17th and 18th of September Indian Embassy is holding “Namaste France” festival in France and on the occasion of this three-day event an exhibition will be held on various facets of life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh , installation of busts of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, General Allard and his wife Bannou Pan Dei, films will be shown and conferences will be held in Saint Tropez. He thanked Punjab government for presenting the bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Saint Tropez.On this occasion, Mr. Claude Maniscalco Director, Department of Tourism Saint Tropez said that a large number of visitors from all over the world come to this event and would get information about the great ruler of Punjab.Among others present on the occasion were Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Mr. NS Randhawa, Director Tourism, Mr. Jagdeep Singh Cheema, co-ordinator of the event.