HUJ launches year long campaign to mark 1857 movement

Rohtak, May 13 (UNI) Efforts would be made to rediscover the role of Haryanvi freedom fighters and war heroes in India's First War of Independence during 151'st year of the 1857 movement.

Stating this while launching the year long Swatantrata Varsha Abhiyan, a campaign Conceived by Haryana Union of Journalists, Haryana chief parliamentary secretary Dharambir said at Narnaul yesterday that the government was committed to keeping alive the memories of sacrifices made by martyrs of First War of Independence.

The government, he said, would also ensure that their descendents are honoured and they do not face any kind of difficulty.

Earlier, accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary, Rao Dan Singh and HUJ state president, Virender Singh Chauhan, Dharambir paid homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives while fighting against the colonial rule at the Nasibpur memorial of the martyrs of 1857 in Mahendergarh district.

On this occasion, he directed the district administration to send a detailed scheme to the State Government for the expansion of this memorial.

The Chief Parliamentary Secretary lauded the efforts of Haryana Union of Journalists for launching this year long campaign in the memories of martyrs of First War of Independence.

He said that the State Government had decided to spend a sum of Rs.10 crore on celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the First War of India's Independence 1857 in a befitting manner throughout the State.

Arrangement of more funds would be made in case there was any need, he added.

He said that the State Government was also setting up a museum dedicated to the martyrs of this struggle.

While presiding over the function, Rao Dan Singh said that the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters of Haryana especially of Aahirwal area could never be quantified. He said that a number of seminars, declamation contest, essay writing, painting and poster making competitions would also be organized at school, college and university levels to apprise the students about the contribution of the people of the State during the freedom struggle.

He said that sports competitions should also be organised in the State after the name of patriots and great freedom fighters so that the youth could derive inspiration from their patriotic deeds.

The Chief Parliamentary Secretary also honoured the journalists for their outstanding work in the field of journalism. Those, who were honoured included Mr.P.S.Rao, Mr.Harbilas Balwan, Mr.Mahesh Gupta, Mr.Gianswaroop Bhardwaj and Mr.Mahender Tiwari.

A Kavi Sammelan was also organized by the HUJ in association with the Haryana Sahitya Akademi in the evening .

UNI