To eulogize the unprecedented sacrifices of several unsung martyrs of Chotta Ghalughara (small holocaust), Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday announced to organise an annual national function at the memorial on the day of holocaust.
“The national level festival would be organised on the day of holocaust to perpetuate the legacy of this rarest of rare incident of valor in the annals of Sikh history on the world canvas,” said Badal while interacting with the officers during his visit to the memorial. Chief Minister said that this function would highlight the countless sacrifices made by the martyrs at this place on the day of holocaust adding that it would be a befitting tribute to the great unsung heroes, who had laid down their life for the cause of nation.
Badal said that dignitaries from across the globe would be invited to this place to apprise them about the rich past of Punjab. He also asked the officers to equip this monument with ultra-modern techniques so as to acquaint the visitors about the rich history of this place. Badal also clarified that there was no dearth of funds to develop this memorial further by judiciously utilizing the vacant land for picturesque landscaping and plantation of the trees besides perpetuating the rich sacrifices made by the martyrs through paintings in the galleries of buildings.
He added that green belt in the memorial could be developed on the lines of ‘Shalimar Garden’ in Kashmir. Underscoring the need for showcasing the rich legacy of this place through light and sound show, documentaries and even plays by eminent artists in the buildings, Badal said that the Tourism Department of the state was working towards these projects, which would be soon started at this place.
He added that literature in the form of small booklets would be made available making all aware about the people’s countless sacrifices made at this sacred place. Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Dr Abhinav Trikha informed the Chief Minister that around 100-150 visitors were visiting the place every day adding that the number touched the mark of 500-600 at the weekend or sacred days.