Beautification & landscaping of historic "Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial" to start soon

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal visits Bassian Kothi near Raikot today

Ludhiana, March 22, 2015: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the beautification and landscaping of historic Bassian Kothi located near Raikot town of the district would start soon. He said that for this purpose, help of experts from Punjab Agricultural University and other government departments will also be taken.

The CM today visited the Bassian Kothi and reviewed the ongoing restoration work of Bassian Kothi, a more than 200 year old monument of Sikh heritage, which is being developed into a memorial in remembrance of Late Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Sikh Maharaja. It was at Bassian Kothi where Maharaja Dalip Singh was kept in captivity arrested by the British in 1849 prior to his exile.

Accompanied by senior district administration officials, the Chief Minister visited Bassian Kothi located near Raikot after attending the bhog and antim ardas of Jagteshwar Singh Talwandi, grandson of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi and son of ex MLA Ranjit Singh Talwandi today.

It was in the year 2011, when the state government engaged the services of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for the restoration work.

While speaking to the media persons, CM Parkash Singh Badal said that in another significant decision aimed at imparting quality technical education to the youth of the region, the Punjab government has already given nod for setting up Punjab Institute of Management and Technology (PIMT) at the around 7-acre piece of land adjoining to Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial (Bassian Kothi). He informed that this institute would be set up by the Punjab Technical University (PTU).

Reacting to a query, the CM also said that the Punjab government is also discussing the possibility to name PIMT on the name of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi. He said that more than Rs 5 crore have already been spent on this project, which includes a museum, an open air theatre and a recreational area. A statue of Maharaja Dalip Singh has also been installed there.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Jagraon MLA S R Kler, former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha, Principal Secretary to CM S K Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to CM K J S Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Rajat Agarwal, DIG G S Dhillon, chairman of Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Trust Prof Gurbhajan Gill, general secretary Parminder Singh Jattpuri, Amandeep Singh Gill, besides several others.