Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij expressed hope that the grand Shaheed Smarak being constructed in Ambala Cantonment in memory of the First War of Independence of 1857 will soon be inaugurated by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi.
He said that once opened, people from across the country will be able to visit the Smarak, learn about the stories of unsung heroes, and pay their tributes.Sh. Anil Vij was speaking to the media after listening to Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s popular program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ at a gathering held at Ambala Cantonment.
He said that the Prime Minister’s mention of the 1857 uprising in today’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ was highly significant. To commemorate this historic movement, a grand Smarak is being constructed in Ambala Cantonment at a cost of around Rs. 700 crore.
The memorial vividly depicts the First War of Independence that began on May 10, 1857, along with the struggles and sacrifices made across the country. It showcases key locations such as Ambala, Meerut, Jhansi, and Kashmiri Gate, as well as the contributions of great warriors like Rani Lakshmibai and Tatya Tope.
He further said that many heroes of 1857 did not receive due recognition and tribute in history. Keeping this in mind, a special ‘tribute zone’ has been created within the Smarak, where visitors will be able to pay homage to those martyrs who were long overlooked.
Sh. Anil Vij said that during ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister noted that the month of May reminds the nation of the First War of Independence of 1857. He paid tribute to the brave sons and daughters of Mother India and urged the youth, especially school children, to make productive use of their vacations and strive to learn something new.
He added that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi interacts with citizens every month through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, sharing inspiring thoughts on various topics. In this episode, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of nuclear and wind energy and also encouraged the promotion of the bamboo industry.
He noted that the government has removed bamboo from the category of trees, which has helped boost innovation and industrial growth in the sector. The Prime Minister also appealed to people to support bamboo products to strengthen the industry, particularly in the North-East. Sh. Anil Vij also urged citizens to purchase bamboo products to support the region’s development.
The Minister said that the Prime Minister mentioned the achievements of Indian students in the Mathematics Olympiad and shared the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Sh. Anil Vij emphasized that Buddha’s message is rooted in self-discipline—“first govern yourself, then guide others”—a principle that remains highly relevant even today.
On this occasion, Sh. Anil Vij appealed to the citizens to regularly listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and dedicate some time from their lives to gain inspiration from it, as the program serves as a powerful medium to connect people with the country’s achievements, innovations, and positive developments.