Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced that work on construction of the state-of-the-art monument to commemorate the martyrdom of 21 valiant Sikh warriors during the historic battle of Saragarhi at Ferozepur will be completed within a time period of six months.
Mann, addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the monument, said that there is no cap on funds for the construction of this architectural marvel and the work on it will be completed within six months by all means.
He said that the valour and sacrifice of soldiers during the battle of Saragarhi will ever inspire our coming generations to serve the country selflessly and zealously. Remembering the supreme sacrifice made by the 21 valiant soldiers who laid their lives while protecting the sovereignty of the country, Mann said that it was an unprecedented saga of bravery and heroism.
The Chief Minister said that his head bows in reverence to pay homage to the supreme sacrifices by the brave soldiers of the country who chose death rather than surrender before a mighty enemy. “The exemplary valour of the 21 soldiers of the 36 Sikhs stationed near Samana ridge (now in Pakistan), who laid down their lives after a fierce battle following an attack by nearly 10,000 Afghans on September 12, 1897, hardly finds any parallel in the world history. The battle of Saragarhi will remain an iconic moment in India’s military history and a reminder of how, when pushed to the brink, Punjabis can rise beyond their capacities,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that he will personally monitor the work on this monument in the coming times and ensure that it is completed within the six months. “Any sort of inordinate delay in this noble cause is unwarranted and undesirable,” said Mann, adding that high standards of construction will be adhered to in the construction of this memorial. Corruption during construction work will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely by ensuring strict action against those involved in it, he added.
Slamming the previous governments for blatantly ignoring this place of immense importance, Mann said that the previous State Government had announced to construct a memorial and Rs one crore was issued in 2019. “However, the work was never initiated as additional funds worth Rs 25 lakh, that were required for the memorial, were never allotted which reflects the apathy of these governments towards the martyrs,” he said.
At the same time, the Chief Minister announced to make stupendous efforts for developing Ferozepur district as a hub of tourism in the State. “Saragarhi memorial, along with Hussainiwala Memorial where Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru, were martyred fall in this district only. These places of immense historical importance, along with Hussainiwala border, will be showcased to the world for attracting tourists from across the globe,” he said.