Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would lay the foundation stone of world class Jang-e-Azadi Memorial at Kartarpur (Jalandhar) on October 12. This decision was taken in the meeting of the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial Foundation held here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon under the chairmanship of Mr. Badal. It was also decided in the meeting that the foundation laying ceremony of this prestigious memorial would be commemorated as a mega event which was expected to be attended by at least 50,000 persons. He also asked the executive committee to make all arrangements well in advance for the foundation stone laying ceremony of this project besides inviting all the family members of the freedom fighters and other patriots associated with different movements of nation’s freedom struggle on this gala day. Mr. Badal said that since it was a unique initiative of the state government to construct this memorial over an area of 25 acre at Kartarpur at a cost of Rs.200 crore, to showcase the rich legacy and enormous contribution of Punjabis in the Indian freedom struggle. He also approved the design layout of the upcoming memorial conceptualized and designed by the world’s leading architect Raj Rewal who had several architectural marvels to his credit like Parliamentary library, Hall of Nations, the World Bank building and Asian Games Village besides many high-tech buildings in Lisbon, Beijing, New York and Portugal.
During a power point presentation, Mr. Rewal discussed the concept of the Jang-e-Azadi memorial and museum based on a circular enclosure which houses the focal centre of the memorial and integrates it with a harmonious ensemble of galleries amplifying the struggle and sacrifice for freedom around a ceremonial path. Mr. Rewal also explained the proposed galleries to be constructed to highlight the different movements of the freedom struggle of Punjab besides exhibition gallery, shahid-e-minar, auditorium, movie hall, open air theatre, amphitheater, library and research, seminar halls besides cafeteria, food court, kids’ corner, administrative block, shops and parking facility on the model of Jang-e-Azadi memorial. The Chief Minister also asked Mr. Rewal to ensure its completion within 18 months.
The Chief Minister also approved the design of the boundary wall to be constructed along with the four sides of the memorial.Earlier, the Member Secretary of the foundation and Managing Editor of the Ajit Group of Newspapers Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard apprised the Chief Minister about the progress made so far with regard to the screen play and script of the film being directed by renowned film personality Mr. Sham Benegal and the allocation of work to one of the five short listed expert companies for the laser show. He also updated the Chief Minister about the perfect coordination between the executive committee, film committee and technical committee especially the consultants of the group for carrying out day-to-day affairs related to the upcoming memorial efficaciously.
Appreciating the team work headed by Dr. Hamdrad, the Chief Minister said that it would not have been possible today to realize this dream in terms of Jang-e-Azadi memorial which he had taken couple of years ago and was confident now that it would soon come on the ground with strenuous efforts of all members of the team especially under the expertise and guidance of Dr.Hamdard. The Chief Minister assured the foundation that paucity of funds would not be allowed hamper the progress of the project as he had already developed a system for automatic generation of funds for this dream project.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, Members of Parliament Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, BJP State President Mr. Kamal Sharma, Technical Advisor to CM Lt.Gen.(Retd.) BS Dhaliwal, former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mrs. Vinni Mahajan, Secretary Cultural Affairs Mrs. Raji P Srivastva, Special Principal Secretary to CM Dr.S.Karuna Raju, Vice Chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh, CEO of the Jang-e-Azadi memorial foundation Mr.Vinay Bublani and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Kamal Kishore Yadav.