Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday directed the Punjab Finance Department to immediately release Rs 8 crores grant, already sanctioned in the budget, for the completion of Punjab State War Heroes' Memorial and Museum (PSWHMM) at Amritsar.
The Chief Minister issued the directive while chairing the meeting of PSWHMM’s governing body and reviewing the progress of ongoing works at the state-of-the-art museum.
Capt Amarinder directed the Culture and Tourism Department to earmark dedicated sections in the galleries, representing various historic wars fought by Punjabis, to enable the younger generations to connect with their glorious military past.
Pointing out that awareness of one's rich legacy was the only way to face future challenges, Capt Amarinder said that the monument would go a long way in motivating the youth to imbue the spirit of patriotism and nationalism. As a military historian, he could well understand the importance of such memorials, he added.
Underscoring the need to make the monument financially self-sustainable in the future, Capt Amarinder asked the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department to explore avenues such that the maintenance and upkeep of the world-class memorial does not get affected in any case.
He also asked the Department to submit a detailed proposal to start a light and sound show (projection mapping) around the Vista, which would be a star attraction especially for the tourists returning from Wagah after witnessing the beating of retreat ceremony.
The Chief Minister was informed that the bridge had a capacity of about 400-500 persons and the walls of the Museum facing the Vista could be utilized as projection screens. This project, to be implemented in PPP mode, and would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 10-12 crore.
Capt Amarinder also asked the Department to examine the proposal mooted by Principal Secretary Finance for issuing a special single dedicated card to enable the tourists to visit all the historic places in a hassle-free manner.
lakhs of devotees visit Amritsar to pay obeisance at Harmandir Sahib and abroad everybody, and they would also be keen to visit other places of historical and cultural significance, he pointed out.