Prez, PM likely to lead Birth Centenary celebration at Wagah

Amritsar, Aug 21 (UNI) A national-level function was expected to be led by President Prathiba Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Amritsar to celebrate the Birth Centenary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh on September 28 at Wagah border where people from India and Pakistan will pay joint tributes to the martyr.

President Prathiba Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were expected to join the main function in which students from all over Punjab would light candles at Wagah Border and singers like Gurdas Mann and Sukhwinder Singh presenting songs in memory of Bhagat Singh, Information and Public Relations Minister, Bikram Singh Majithia told reporters here yesterday.

A national-level Implementation Committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Union Minister for Human Resources Arjun Singh, to oversee the organisation of various functions in New Delhi and in several other states, he said.

The extravaganza to be organised in Punjab included a two-day programme including patriotic run, exhibition on the life of martyrs, and a sound and light programme that will commence on September 27, Mr Majithia said.

The day would also witness a Motor Cycle Rally from Jallianwala Bagh to Hussainiwala and a memorable evening dedicated to freedom fighters with Hans Raj Hans and Wadali Brothers adding colour.

The celebrations will be kickstart a fortnight ago in Amritsar with the illumination of the city, especially the nondescript lane of Amritsar known as "Bara Makan" (a cluster of dozen houses) where Bhagat Singh took shelter after shooting J P Saunders.

Patriotic songs will be played in public places and seminars, debates, painting competitions, kavi darbar will be orhanised to spread the ideology and patriotic messages of Shaheed-a-Azam Bhagat Singh, Mr Majithia said.

He expressed hope that the young generations will feel inspired and motivated by the patriotism of the great martyrs.

Earlier, Mr Majithia held a detailed discussion with the officials of the departments concerned for effective and memorable centenary celebration of the martyrs.

UNI