Chair on freedom fighters to be set up at GNDU

Sunam, Sangrur July 31 (UNI) As a tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh on his 67th martyrdom day, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today announced to establish a special chair at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar on the life and works of the patriots who made supreme sacrifices during the Indian freedom struggle.

The chair at GNDU, Amritsar, would be set up with an objective to kindle the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, specially in the younger generation, by teaching about the freedom movement replete with saga of numerous sacrifices made by the unsung heroes, Capt Singh said after paying the floral tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh at a function held at the grain market here.

Addressing a gathering, he said it was important to observe these occasions to keep alive the message of martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh who had a burning desire to free the Motherland from the clutches of the British regime.

The Chief Minister honoured Prof Sikander Singh for his 18- year-long and dedicated research on the life, philosophy and works of Shaheed Udham Singh and announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for further research on this subject. Prof Sikander Singh presented a book to the Chief Minister.

Besides, Capt Singh honoured the family members of Shaheed Udham Singh including Mr Inder Singh, Ms Bachan Kaur and Mr Khushinand.

The Chief Minister also announced to set up a suitable memorial at Chandigarh to perpetuate the memory of thousands of known and unknown freedom fighters.

He said the Punjab Government had already given a grant of Rs one crore each to the native villages of Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala, Baba Hira Singh Bhattal, Sardar Sewa Singh Thikriwala, Sardar Harchand Singh Jaijee, Akali Phoola Singh and Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai to develop them as modern villages showcasing their heroic deeds.

Earlier, Capt Singh laid the foundation stone of Rs 1.14 crore ultra modern Bus stand at Sunam on Sunam-Bathinda road and also inaugurated Bhagwan Dass Arora Marg. He also laid the foundation stone of 100 per cent drinking water and sewerage scheme at a cost of Rs 5.65 crore.

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