Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday directed the Finance Department to immediately release the grant of Rs. 8 crores already sanctioned in the budget for the completion of Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial and Museum (PSWHMM) at Amritsar.The Chief Minister issued the directive while chairing the Governing Body Meeting of the Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial and Museum (PSWHMM) at his official residence here.Reviewing the progress of ongoing works at the state-of-the-art museum, Captain Amarinder Singh directed the Culture & Tourism department to earmark dedicated sections in the galleries, representing the various historic wars fought by Punjabis, to enable the younger generations to connect with their glorious military past.Pointing out that awareness of one's rich legacy was the only way to face future challenges, Captain Amarinder Singh said that the monument would go a long way in motivating the youth to imbue the spirit of patriotism and nationalism. As a military historian, he could well understand the importance of such memorials, he added.Underscoring the need to make the monument financially self-sustainable in the future, Captain Amarinder Singh asked the Tourism & Cultural Affairs department of explore avenues such that the maintenance and upkeep of the world-class memorial does not get affected in any case.
He also asked the department to submit a detailed proposal to start a Light and Sound Show (Projection Mapping) around the Vista, which would be a star attraction especially for the tourists returning from Wagah after witnessing the beating of retreat ceremony.The Chief Minister was informed that the bridge had a capacity of about 400-500 persons and the walls of the museum facing the Vista could be utilized as projection screens. This project, to be implemented in PPP mode, and would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs. 10-12 Crore.Captain Amarinder Singh also asked the department to examine the proposal mooted by Principal Secretary Finance for issuing a special single dedicated card to enable the tourists to visit all the historic places in a hassle-free manner. Lakhs of devotees visit Amritsar to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji and abroad everybody, and they would also be keen to visit other places of historical and cultural significance, he pointed out.Taking part in the deliberations, Senior Advisor to CM Lt. Gen. (Retd) T.S. Shergill suggested that facilities like cafeteria, souvenir shops, food courts etc. should be developed to further attract tourists to PSWHMM.Prominent among others present at the meeting were Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh, Principal Secretary Finance Anirudh Tewari, Principal Secretary Tourism & Cultural Affairs Vikas Partap, Special Principal Secretary to CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director Defence Services Welfare Brigadier (Retd) J S Arora, Lt Col (Retd) H P Singh General Manager PSWHMM.