Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed the progress of ongoing work on the construction of Sri Ram Tirath Temple cum Panorama complex at Amritsar and Baba Jeevan Singh Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib.Presiding over a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan this morning, the Chief Minister underscored the need for expediting the work of these projects for their timely completion.The Chief Minister was apprised that 90% work for the construction of Sri Ram Tirath Temple cum Panorama complex has been completed and the remaining work would also be completed within the stipulated time frame. This project include state-of-art temple cum panorama complex, Administrative complex, langar hall, parking and sangat hall. The Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Cultural affair to appoint a special officer for monitoring the day-to-day work of this project.The Chief Minister said that this iconic temple cum panorama center was coming up at Sri Valmiki Tirath in Amritsar, where Bhagwan Valmiki ji had created the great epic and masterpiece of Ramayana.
Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for the state government to offer humble tributes to Bhagwan Valmiki Ji by developing this site for the devotees visiting this sacred place from every nook and corner of the world. He pointed out that new Temple which would be constructed at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) would be an engineering marvel spruced with rare architecture, landscaping besides aesthetically designed. “This Temple will be unique monument in the sense that it will not only help in disseminating the philosophy of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji for carving out a harmonious society in the state but it would also act as a lighthouse to guide the destiny of our youth through the great ethical and moral values preached by him” he added.The Chief Minister also approved the design of ‘Khanda-Baata’ to be installed Baba Jeevan Singh Memorial to be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore. He said that internationally acclaimed companies must be roped in for the installation of this ‘Khanda-Baata’ at this memorial being built to perpetuate the memory of legendary Sikh martyr Baba Jeevan Singh, who had rendered marvelous service to the panth by bringing back the seesh of Guru Teg Bahadur ji from Chandni chowk (Delhi) to Sri Anandpur Sahib. He said that Baba Jeevan Singh confronted unimaginable hardships during his journey from Delhi to Sri Anandpur sahib but he faced them bravely.
The Chief Minister said that this memorial would remind our younger generations about exemplary courage exhibited by this legendary Sikh warrior which hardly finds any parallel in the entire Sikh history. On the occasion the Head of Architecture Department of Guru Nanak Dev University Prof. SS Behal gave a detailed presentation to Mr. Badal regarding the building plan of memorial which includes Gallery, Parking and Administrative complex. He said that the memorial would also showcase the Sikh martial art-‘Gatka’ as a humble tribute to this martyr.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab Dalit Vikas Board Mr. Vijay Danav, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Director Cultural Affairs Mr. Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa.