SBS Nagar, 9 October(Wishav Warta): Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister took serious note of the work related to the memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and museum pending since 8 years at his ancestral village Khatkar Kalan. Sidhu paid a special visit to the village along with the senior officials and himself took stock of the project. After inspecting the project, the minister announced that the memorial, as well as the museum, would be completed by 23rd March 2018 i.e. the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He also said that the directions have been issued to the department in this regard.
Interacting with the media-persons on the occasion, the minister said that the martyrs are an inspiration to the people of the nation but it is very unfortunate that the previous regime faltered in its duty to protect the heritage of the martyrs. He further said that the work pertaining to the memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and museum was started in 2009 during the tenure of previous government and it was to be completed by 2011 but it is still incomplete even after 6 years of the deadline fixed. He assured after consulting the Director, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Shivdular Singh Dhillon on the spot that this project would now be under his personal supervision and would be dedicated to the country by 23rd March, 2018. He also assured that no dearth of funds would be allowed to become a stumbling block with regard to the project.
Divulging more, Sidhu said that a tourism policy is being prepared by his department with an intent to develop the historical places connected with the martyrs as tourist spots. Going further, he said that under the proposed tourist circuits the places having links with the martyrs would be connected which would be beneficial for the tourists from country and abroad. He also said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh was an institution who would continue to inspire generation after generation. The minister also disclosed that he is greatly influenced by Shaheed Bhagat Singh since his childhood and his mother used to recite stories about Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and his uncle Ajit Singh to inspire him which explains why he paid homage to the martyrs memorial at Hussainiwala after becoming minister and now at Khatkar Kalan. He also said that he has though he has often visited the hallowed spot earlier but since this is the first time he has come here as a minister, his responsibility increases all the more.
Earlier, the minister paid floral tributes at the statues of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and at the memorial of shaheed Bhagat Singh’s father Kishan Singh at Khatkar Kalan. He also visited the old museum and the new one being constructed. While visiting the ancestral house of Shaheed-e-Azam, the minister very keenly saw the articles connected with the martyr and also paid a visit to the park adjoining the house. The minister described Shaheed-e-Azam as his biggest inspiration and vowed to follow the path illuminated by the martyr while writing in the visitor’s book at the memorial and the museum.
