CM to lay foundation stone of Jang-e-Azaadi Memorial in third week of August

Chandigarh, June 27, 2014: The Jang-e-Azaadi Memorial foundation under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today finalised the date of foundation laying ceremony of this world class project, to come at Kartarpur near Jalandhar, in the third week of August this year. The upcoming memorial would be completed within two years by August 2016.

This decision was taken during the fourth meeting of the foundation which was convened here today at Punjab Bhawan, for taking stock of the prestigious project and apprise all the members about the latest developments related to it so far.

The foundation also approved the decision of the Executive Committee to engage the services of eminent film director Shyam Benegal for the preparation of a 90 minutes film depicting the entire saga of Punjabi's stellar role in the national freedom struggle. It may be recalled that the film production team of Benegal had already extensively conducted the research work on the project by visiting the locations at Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Nabha, Malerkotla and Ludhiana. In the meantime, Benegal has already prepared the script of film after having detailed deliberations with the renowned  noted historians, intellectuals, academicians and Sikh scholars on the theme.

The foundation also gave his nod for the appointment of renowned Architect Raj Rewal as the Master Technical consultant for the said project, who has designed several landmark buildings including Hall of Nations, Asian Games Village, National Institute of Immunology, Central Institute of Education Technology, The Television Centre, National Science Academy, The World Bank building, The housing for the British High Commission and the Library of the Indian Parliament. Apart from these Rewal has also designed the Lisbon Ismaili Centre, Portugal and most recently the Indian Embassy in Beijing, China.

The foundation also gave go ahead for the selection of a reputed firm amongst from the panel of five such selected firms by the Executive Committee on the basis of its evaluation report under the supervision of Technical Advisor to the Chief Minister Lieutenant General (Retd.) BS Dhaliwal.

Keeping in view of futuristic planning of the project and scope of its expansion, the Chief Minister asked the Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar to explore the possibility to allot additional land of 15 acres of grain market for adding up facilities of parking lot, additional public galleries, open auditorium, cafeteria, public conveniences and others there by shifting the existing Grain market at alternate site to the satisfaction of the general public.

Earlier the Chief Editor of the Ajit Group of Newspapers and Member Secretary of the foundation Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard informed the members of the foundation about the progress so far made in conceptualising the project viz-a-viz short listing the panels of eminent architects for the design and planning of buildings and renowned contractors for its construction. He also gave an account of his frequent meetings with Shyam Benegal for the proposed film in Hindi, English and Punjabi. Likewise, Dr. Hamdard also briefed the Chief Minister about the concept of laser shows to be organised outdoor at night besides the credentials of the shortlisted firms for this purpose. He also requested Badal to release more funds so that the construction work on the project may not hamper due to shortage of funds.

Responding to the issues raised by Dr. Hamdard, the Chief Minister assured that there would not be any shortage of funds for this "dream project" as he has already made fool proof provisions of automatic collection of funds through levying cultural cess. He further said that as the project progresses ahead in different stages the foundation would be simultaneously allocated funds as per their requirement.         

The Chief Minister said that this prestigious monument has been planned to showcase the rich legacy and the exemplary valor displayed by the countless freedom fighters, patriots and martyrs from Punjab during the Indian independence movement.  The upcoming memorial, he said would play a vital role and act as a beacon to acquaint our younger generations about the saga of great sacrifices made by our martyrs especially from Punjab to free their motherland from the yoke of British imperialism. Badal sought the views from the participants in the meeting to develop this world class memorial in such a manner to make it a perfect blend of grandeur, aesthetics and architecture. 

The Chief Minister said that this classic memorial of utmost historical significance and immense emotive value especially to Punjabis would come on the ground at the earliest in order to pay befitting tributes to several unsung heroes of national freedom struggle.  He also underscored the need to execute this entire project in a time bound manner right from its conception to completion so that the supreme and unparalleled sacrifices made by the martyrs of the freedom struggle could be showcased in a proper perspective. Badal said that this memorial would certainly infuse the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst the youngsters so that they could take pride in the country's rich legacy.

Interacting with the members of the foundation the noted film maker Shyam Benegal said that it was a unique project which has touched his soul and mind to create this film entirely in a different manner, which could stir the emotions of our countrymen while peeping in our glorious past during which countless unsung heroes and sons of the soil who made supreme sacrifices at the altar of our national freedom struggle. Benegal said, "That's why I have chosen to depart from the conventional practice of narrating the heroic deeds of martyrs and national heroes in my film through anchors and preferred to entrust this task to the balladeers, which had ever remained closed to the hearts of Punjabis".

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cabinet Ministers Sohan Singh Thandal and Madan Mohan Mittal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, BJP state president Kamal Sharma, Members of Parliament Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Harcharan Bains, former Cabinet Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, former MP Tarlochan Singh, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary Finance Vinnie Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar, Secretary Cultural Affairs Raji P Srivastva, Director Cultural Affairs NS Randhawa, Vice Chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Kamal Kishore Yadav.