BJP constitutes committee to commemorate 1857

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today constituted a 13-member committee with party general secretary Anant Kumar as its convener to commemorate 150 years of the First War of Independence of 1857.

Other members on the committee are Mr Kailash Joshi, Mr Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Mr Kalraj Mishra, Mr Balbir Punj, Mr Prabhat Jha, Mr Vijay Goel, Mrs Kiran Maheshwari, Mr O. Rajagopal, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Mr Amit Thakar, Mr Shyam Jaju and Mr Prakash Javadekar.

The objectives of the year long programme, to be launched in Delhi on August 9,Quit India Day, and concluded on August 10 next year, are the respectful remembrance of the inspiring past, invocation of patriotism, pledge for freedom and democracy, oath of unity and solidarity and resolve for strong and prosperous India, Mr Anant kumar told newspersons here.

This would be an opportunity to arouse new spirit in the country by remembering the great war that was waged from Punjab to Bengal and from Nepal border to far south, he said.

Mr Kumar regretted that the Congress was not attaching much significance to the historical occasion. In fact, it was expected out of the UPA to take along all political parties in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1857 across the country, he said. The BJP leader said the country wide programmes covering all districts had been chalked out by the party during which prabhat pheris, cycle rallies, torch procession, memorial photo exhibition, essay competition in schools and colleges, seminars, rallies and honouring of freedom fighters would take place.

UNI