Maharaja Ranjit Singh's bust to be installed in France

Chandigarh, Apr 7: The Punjab government will give a bust of Sikh ruler, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to be installed at France's Saint-Tropez, the birthplace of his general Jean-Francois Allard, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said on Thursday.

The bust will be handed over to the French envoy during June, Badal told a delegation from Saint-Tropez, led by deputy mayor Henri Allard - the fourth-generation direct lineal descendant of Gen. Allard, during a meeting here.

"The installation of a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Saint Tropez on September 17, 2016, would be instrumental in strengthening the bonds of bonhomie, friendship and compassion between the people of Punjab and France.

"Gen. Allard (French) along with Gen. Ventura (Italian) served in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and both made an enormous contribution for the modernisation of his military through their strategic experience and raised Fauj-i-khas, the 'special' or 'royal' brigade," said Allard.

"The installation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh bust in Saint Tropez would relive the cherished moments in the golden annals of Sikh history," Badal said.

Saint-Tropez is a prominent tourist destination in France, visited by nearly 6.5 million tourists every year.

IANS