As the Nation celebrates 75th Anniversary of the historic quit India movement also known as ‘August Kranti’, Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh dedicated Rs 9.85 crore ‘War Museum’ at Dharamshala to the people and laid foundation stone of Freedom Fighters Memorial at Dari today. The Chief Minister in his message to the people of the State said that he salutes the great heroes of freedom struggle and all those valiant soldiers who sacrificed themselves for sake of the Nation.
The War Museum, he said was a reminder of the sacrifices of the valiant soldiers of Himachal Pradesh, right from recipients of Victoria cross to Parmveer Chakra. He said that the Museum would provide a peep, a flashback to learn and know about the Nations first Param Vir Chakra recipient, the highest gallantry awardee, Major Somnath Sharma to late Captain Bikram Batra, Saurabh Kalia, and others who laid their lives for the sake of the Nation. “I salute the valiant men and women of Himachal who became Martyrs and their families as well who equally contributed for sake of the country in one way or other right down from freedom struggle till date”, he said.
Recalling valour of Kargil war heroes, he said that numerous sacrifices were made by soldiers from Himachal Pradesh and 54 brave sons from the soil of Himachal got martyrdom. These heroes will find mention in this War Museum to keep their sacrifices alive for generations to come and know about their valour.
The Chief Minister said wars are never welcome but sometimes it becomes inevitable and that is the time when our soldiers show their might to fight the enemies to save our borders.
Remembering Mahatma Gandhi, he said that it was due the ‘do or die’ call given by him on 8th August in 1942 in his quit India speech in Mumbai, that the country attained freedom from colonial rule. Quit India Movement was an important milestone in the history of India’s freedom struggle, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.
Spread over a total area of 2190 square metre, the outside part of the Museum displays statue of General Zorawar Singh and murals of heroic deeds. The inner Hall houses busts of Vir Chakra awardees, Jamedar Bhandan Ram and Jamedar Lala with write ups of their legend on the wall in golden background. The busts of Param Vir and Vir Chakras include those of Major Somnath Sharma, Major Dhan Singh Thapa, aptain Vikram Batra, Major Sudhir Walia, Hony. Captain Sanjay Kumar. The Museum also houses photo gallery of all PVC recipients of the country besides medals of various gallantry award recipients including Victoria Cross, Ashok Chakra, Vir Chakra etc.
There is also Ashoka Pillar of dimension 5×2 feet besides Pakistan captured flag, regimental flags, Medium Machine Guns etc.
However, request has been sent to Government of India for MIG-21 and display of other warfare machinery, said representatives of ‘State Martyrs Memorial Service and Development Society’ so as to give rightful attention to these revered and cherished monuments.
Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone of 104 metre span bridge over Baner Rivulet on Daulatpur-Haar-Jaladi-Khart road at Har Jalari to cost Rs 3.43 crore; laid foundation stone of 33 KV electric sub-station at Kangra to cost Rs 2.40 crore along-with MPP and Power Minister Shri Sujan Singh Pathania. The 33 KV sub-station will cater to a population of 60 thousand of eight panchayats of Kangra and its suburbs, laid foundation stone of beautification of Dal lake at Dharamshala, laid foundation stone of Government degree college Matour to cost around Rs 10 crore and foundation stone of project by Asian Development Bank at Chamunda, in the temple complex to cost Rs. 5.87 crore.
He also inaugurated a bridge over Ikku Khud at Kardiana completed with an outlay of Rs 1.35 crore. He also inaugurated the augmentation of Lift Water Supply Scheme for Kangra town from Baner rivulet, incurring an amount of Rs 17.43 crore to cater to the needs of present population of 34330 and to cover a population of around 47600 by the year 2046. The scheme would also run 22 fire hydrants.
Earlier talking to the media, he said that his statement pertaining to President of Gaddi Board was concocted and misinterpreted by the media. He said that he meant that the President of State Gaddi Kalyan Board had more followers and respect than the BJP State President. He reiterated that it was the Congress Govt. that had formed the Gaddi Kalyan Board and added that he was proud of this community. He said the government was, and would always be committed for welfare of Gaddi community. It was an old habit of BJP to blow issues out of proportion, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.
Urban Development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Jagjeevan Pal, MLAs Shri Sanjay Rattan, Shri Ajay Mahajan, Shri Pawan Kajal, Vice-Chairman, State Forest Corporation, Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Chairman School Education Board Shri Balbir Tegta, were also present on the occasion amongst others.
