About 120 years after 21 Sikh soldiers bravely fought against 10,000 pathans till their martyrdom in the Battle of Saragarhi in 1897, Punjab Government will soon set up a memorial in their memory.
That is not all! The Gvernment has also announced to include the “proud history” of Saragarhi in the school syllabus.
The announcement to set up Saragarhi Samarak was made by State Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, who was representing the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh at the State-level function held at Gurdwara Saragarhi Sahib (Ferozepur) to commemorate the battle of Saragarhi, after local Congress MlA Parminder Singh Pinki demanded to set up a museum, auditorium, library in memory of the martyrs.
Manpreet, along with his Cabinet colleagues Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sadhu Singh Dharmasot, to provide sufficient funds “as demanded” for the Saragarhi Samarak.
The function was attended by thousands of visitors from various parts of country and abroad, ex-servicemen, family members of the martyrs, senior army officers and soldiers.
Manpreet said that the state government was proud to hold a state-level function to commemorate the “unparalleled martyrdom” of the martyrs of Saragarhi besides announcing holiday to mark Saragarhi Day
“The funds required for constructing of memorial, museum, etc in the memory of the martyrs of Saragarhi, would be provided by the state government and the state government would made every effort to make students and people of the country aware about the great history of Saragarhi,” said Manpreet.
He said that the Punjab Government was fully committed to the overall development of the border district of Ferozepur. “Punjab government would work with full dedication to realize the dreams of martyrs besides eradicating the menace of corruption, unemployment, illiteracy, and drugs from the state,” he said.
Manpreet also thanked the delegation of the British Army, the martyrs’ families, the former army officers, soldiers and the people from various parts of the country and abroad for attending the function.
He also presented the dignitaries a comprehensive book on the Battle of Saragarhi written by Capt Amarinder.
local Government Minister Sidhu, paying tribute to the martyrs of Saragarhi, promised that a blank check would be given to MlA Parminder Singh Pinki so that he can fill any amount required for the martyr’s memorial.
“In consultation with the Chief Minister, the museum, library, etc would be created in memory of the martyrs of Saragarhi and the government would not allow any shortage of funds in this regard,” he said adding that we all need to get inspiration from the martyrs of Saragarhi who had sacrificed their last drop of blood for their country’s protection.
During the function, heirs of Saragarhi martyrs, British Army Brigadier Timothy John Seal and associates, historian Gurinderpal Singh Joson, former officer of 4 Sikh Regiment Brigadier Kamaljit Singh, Colonel BS Chahal, Capt Amarjit Singh Jeji, ex-servicemen and their successors were also honoured.