Haryana CM Manohar Lal on Thursday said that a War Memorial is being built in Ambala cantonment to commemorate the martyrs of India’s first war of freedom of 1857 and emphasis will be laid on the martyrs belonging to the state of Haryana, especially Ambala and its nearby areas as this war of Independence originated from here.The CM was presiding over a meeting regarding the ‘Haryana Bhawan’ being built at ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Complex’ near ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat.It was informed in the meeting that the construction work of the War Memorial being built on an area of 22 acres in Ambala is likely to be completed by March 31, 2022. This War Memorial will have an open air theatre on an area spanning 5,000 square metres which can accommodate 2,000 persons.It will also have an exhibition hall, food court, rehearsal room etc. An Interpretation Centre will also be built there on a stretch of 2,750 square metres, which will include a VIP lounge and a conference room, War Memorial Orientation Room, Shops, children’s play area, reception etc. A museum will also be built there on an area of 11,000 square metres.
The CM was also apprized that the Memorial is likely to attract a large number of tourists owing to its proximity to the national highway, which will further boost the state’s revenue.Home Minister Anil Vij directed the concerned officials to include Rakhigarhi in this War Memorial.He said that the museum being built in Ambala will display the history of the first war of freedom. It will also depict the prominent places of revolution, including Ambala, Meerut, and Delhi, and the valour of brave hearts like Jhansi’s Rani Laxmibai, Tantya Tope, and Bahadur Shah Zafar. The symbol of war of freedom Lotus and Chapati (referring to Lotus and Chapati Movement in 1857) will also be exhibited here, he said.Likewise, the architecture marvel of the state building being built by the Haryana Government in ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Complex’, on an area, spread across 28 acres of land near the ‘Statue of Unity’ on the banks of the Narmada River in Gujarat would be such that that the spectators will identify it from a distance that this building represents Haryana.
The shlokas from the religious text ‘Gita’ will be engraved on the walls of this building.
Sharing more details of the Complex, Vij said that connection between Dharamkshetra, Kurukshetra and Dwarka will also be depicted there to attract people.