This Independence Day, the Punjab State War Heroes’ Memorial-cum-Museum, coming up at Amritsar, would be dedicated to the nation. The Rs130-crore prestigious project, showcasing the enormous contribution of brave Punjabis warriors and soldiers in safeguarding the integrity of India, is expected to be completed within the stipulated time.
The announcement was made by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal while presiding over a high level meeting to review the progress of the project with the senior officers of various departments and agencies involved in its construction. Badal asked the Public Works Department to complete the civil work of this project positively within the stipulated time limit so that the state-of-the-art memorial could be inaugurated on the historic day of 69th Independence Day.
The Chief Minister informed that he had recently called on the Union Defence Minister Manohar Parikar to seek his support and cooperation for getting rare artifacts, war equipments and memorabilia, among other things to be exhibited in the upcoming Museum inside the War Memorial.
“These artifacts, memorabilia would not only imbibe the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst our future generations but also showcase splendid and gallantry deeds of our distinguished personnel of Armed forces,” said Badal.
He also asked the Sainik Welfare Department to tie-up with the Department of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry to procure documentary films on Indo-China war in 1962 and Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 besides Kargil operation in 1999 to be screened in the auditorium. Badal also asked the officers of the Sainik Department to keep close liaison with his Special Principal Secretary KJS Cheema for the day-to-day developments in the project so as to keep him regularly updated about the progress of project.
The representatives of the firm entrusted with the task of conceptual, design and layout apprised the Chief Minister about guiding principles focused on non-partisan and secular approach, historical perspective, detailed coverage from concept of martyrdom and advent of Miri-Piri philosophy and the several sacrifices of heroes from the region in the battles fought in Punjab.