Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday constituted a 10-member panel for finalisation of the site plan for Jang-e-Azadi memorial and also for the selection of an architect.
Giving his nod to the move, the panel under the chairmanship of Jang-e-Azadi Memorial foundation secretary Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard will finalise the modalities for hiring the services of reputed architect for the construction of a world class monument.
Others members of the Committee include, State health and family welfare minister Madan Mohan Mittal, former minister and senior BJP leader Balramji Dass Tandon, Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder, former minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, advisor to the Chief Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister SK Sandhu and Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs SS Channi.
The Committee has been mandated by the Chief Minister to shortlist the best architect amongst the panel of renowned architects with a proven track of expertise, rich experience and architectural skills for such state-of-the-art monument.
Badal has also asked the Committee to consult the leading architects of the country who could suggest the names of their ilk in this field for the prestigious project - aimed at showcasing the unparalleled contribution of Punjabis in national freedom struggle.
likewise, Badal also appreciated the proposal put forth by Dr Hamdard regarding the preparation of a feature-cum-documentary film on the different aspects of India's freedom struggle besides the concept of laser show to highlight the various watershed movements during the tryst for Independence.
On Dr Hamdard's another suggestion, Badal also agreed to seek expertise of prominent film and TV directors like Shyam Benegal, Gobind Nihlani and Parkash Jha for the proposed feature-cum-documentary film of 90 minutes on Indian independence movement in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
Badal also asked the sub-committee constituted under the chairmanship of Dr Hamdard to negotiate with reputed companies engaged in presenting the historic movements and incidents before the tourists through laser shows based on the light and sound technology. Other members of sub-committee are Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary of Cultural Affairs, noted Punjabi theatre personality and playwright Kewal Dhaliwal, eminent filmmaker Amrik Singh Gill, former MP Tarlochan Singh, Patiala's Punjabi University VC Prof Jaspal Singh and CPS Som Parkash as members besides prominent television personality lakhwinder Singh Johal as a special invitee.
Chief Minister has asked all the Committees to meet frequently and complete all formalities in time-bound manner, so that this prestigious project could be completed within two years. He also assured the Foundation that there would be no paucity of funds as the Government was committed to completion of it in time.
Badal also approved the executive committee for hiring services of the EoI Consultant for finalising the modalities for technical and financial bids besides authorising to hire the services of any person or agency as deemed necessary for the project. He also directed the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for the construction of Grid Separator near the site of the memorial, adding after the finalisation of the site plan, civil works of the memorial should be entrusted to a renowned construction company of the country.