CM dedicates open air theatre at Baba Banda Bahadur War Memorial

Chapparchiri (SAS Nagar), October 29, 2012: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced to hold regular shows of light and sound and other plays at weekends shortly, to highlight the rich legacy of Sikhism at Baba Banda Bahadur War Memorial Chapparchiri besides other prestigious memorials of Virasat-e-Khalsa Sri Anandpur Sahib, Wadda Ghalugara at Kop Rahiran and Chota Ghalughara at Kahnuwan Chhamb. 

Addressing the audience on the occasion to dedicate the open air theatre to the nation here at Baba Banda Bahadur War Memorial on Sunday evening by staging a play ‘Main Tera Banda ‘directed by the noted theatre personality Manpal Tiwana, the Chief Minister said these plays on the theme of watershed movements in the history of Sikhism at these memorials would create awareness amongst our younger generations about their glorious religio-cultural past.

Badal said the SAD-BJP government made humble efforts to construct these memorials so as to provide a missing link to our future generations and enliven the cherished moments of our rich cultural heritage. He apprised the public that the Virasat-e-Khalsa memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib has evoked overwhelming response from the people as daily seven to eight thousand persons visit this heritage marvel adding that the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper would also visit the memorial on November 7, which was a matter of great honour and pride for the entire nation especially for Punjab when a dignitary of such International fame had evinced keen interest to visit Sri Anandpur Sahib in his itinerary during his official trip to India.      

The Chief Minister said that the state government in its endeavour to further promote this cause has taken a major initiative to construct the state-of-art ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial at Kartarpur near Jalandhar over an area of 25 acre to showcase the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. Likewise the government had already taken up another prestigious project of restoration work at Bassian Kothi near Raikot in Ludhiana district to give a facelift to the erstwhile PWD rest house of British Raj, where Maharaja Daleep Singh the son of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh was held in captivity before taking to England. He said this project was near completion and would be dedicated soon to the nation.    

On the occasion the Chief Minister honoured the script writer Nirmal Rishi and Director of the play Manpal Tiwana besides veteran theatre artist Neena Tiwana, the wife of the legendary playwright and theatre personality late Harpal Tiwana. People from different walks of life were enthralled by the superb performance of the artistes.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included former Union Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KJS Cheema besides the senior officers of civil and Police administration of Mohali district. Apart from these senior party leaders and workers of SAD-BJP besides members of SGPC were also present on the occasion.