Ludhiana/Chandigarh April 19
On the occasion of World Heritage Day last evening, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Punjab, Anmol Gagan Mann, while presiding over the event jointly organized by District Administration, Ludhiana and Maharaja Dulip Singh Memorial Trust Raikot Bassian (Ludhiana) at Bassian (Raikot) has said that the state government will make this 200-year-old heritage building and its campus a center of attraction for tourists. She said that the historical importance of this place for Punjab is significant because the last Maharaja of the Sikh state, Duleep Singh, spent his last night at this place. The Minister added that all the works will be completed as per the estimate given by the district administration for the development of Bassian Kothi. For the development of tourism in Punjab, a plan is being made regarding water sources, religious pilgrimage, places of artistic importance. She also thanked Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Sanjeev Arora for his announcement of Rs. 20 lakh for the development works of Bassian Kothi.
Speaking on this occasion, Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Sanjeev Arora said that despite being born in Ludhiana, I was not aware of the importance of this place but after today I will bring the people of the country to visit this place with full right.
On this occasion, Mr. Arora announced Ra.20 lakh to the district administration for the development of this place. He said that more resources will be provided for the development of this place in future. He added that coming to Bassian Kothi with my family on World Heritage Day is an auspicious day for us.
On this occasion, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Punjab Anmol Gagan Mann, Member of Parliament Sanjeev Arora, Chairman of Punjab Arts Council Dr. Surjit Patar, Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, IG of Punjab Police Dr. Kaustubh Sharma, former Chairman of Punjab Farmers Commission Mr. Avtar Singh Dhindsa, Police Commissioner of Ludhiana Mr. Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Kanwardeep Singh Sonu Nilibar, Trustee of Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Trust Pirthipal Singh, Parminder Singh Jattapuri and Sikh thinker Dr. Anurag Singh’s documentary film about Bassian Kothi produced by Harpreet Singh Sandhu was also screened. Earlier, the selfie point developed by S. Harpreet Singh Sandhu was also inaugurated by the guests at this place.
Speaking on this occasion, Chairman of Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Charitable Trust Bassian-Raikot Prof. Gurbhajan Singh Gill said that this Kothi is the place where Maharaja Duleep Singh, the youngest son of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, spent his last night. (December 31, 1849) as the sovereign emperor in Punjab.
He said that after capturing Maharaja Duleep Singh from Lahore on 21 December 1849, he was brought to Bassian Kothi through Kahna-Kachha, Lalyani, Ferozepur, Mudki, Bagha Purana, Badhani, Lopon, Malla, Manunke Sandhua and Jatpura.
Punjab Arts Council Chairman Dr. Surjit Patar, while addressing, talked about Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh state and also shared his sacred poem Tazposhi with the audience.
A grand Punjabi folk art fair was organized by Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Charitable Trust at this place which was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana Surbhi Malik. Raikot Constituency MLA S. Hakam Singh Thekedar also presided over the inaugural function. SDMS Gurbir Singh Kohli and Trust Secretary Parminder Singh Jattapuri worked day and night to finalize the outline of the event.
In addition to Constituency MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar, MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Ashok Parashar, DMC Ludhiana Dr. Vishwa Mohan, Head of Industry Organizations Mr. Upkar Singh Ahuja, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Kular, Manjit Singh Dhaliwal who established Dewan Todar Mall Hospital in his village Chowkiman in Khalsa University Bellingham in America, eminent transporter S. Karamjit Singh Grewal, eminent writer Buta Singh Chauhan, retired Commissioner of Police, Gurpreet Singh Toor, Swaranjit Swi, Rajdeep Toor, Prabhjot Sohi, Balbir Kaur Raikoti also participated.
Folk music performances under the leadership of S.Navjot Singh Mander (Jarg) Chairman JANCO, folk instruments and Malvai Giddha were presented under the leadership of Ahmedgarh Mandi resident and prominent poet and folk artist Amritpal Singh Pali Khadim while S.Harjit Singh Grewal Chairman International Sikh Martial Arts Council showed the jewels of martial art gatka. The presentation of folk dance Bhangra traditional Sialkoti by Surjit Memorial Foundation Batala under the leadership of Prof. Balbir Sigh Kolha was highly appreciated by Chief Guest Sanjeev Arora, Member of Rajya Sabha and Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann. On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann, Member of Parliament Sanjeev Arora, Hakam Singh Thekedar MLA, DC Ludhiana Surbhi Malik and photo artist Harpreet Singh Sandhu were honoured by the officials of Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Trust.
S. Dalbir Singh Kathuria, chairman of Vishwa Punjabi Sabha Toronto, presented turbans to Balbir Kaur Raikoti artists and guests. On this occasion, a turban competition was also organized with the support of Virsa Preservation Sirdari Lehar Punjab, the winners of which were distributed cash prizes by Sahil America.
The district administration also held a meeting with prominent industrialists of Punjab regarding the patronage of art. Deputy Commissioner Surbhi Malik thanked the artists, organizers and guests who participated in the entire Lok Utsav who participated in the event and enjoyed and learned about the World Heritage Day presentations.
On this occasion, famous Sufi singer Muhammad Ershad presented Sur May Sufi and folk music samples from North Zone Cultural Center Patiala. Eminent photo artist The documentary film made by Harpreet Singh Sandhu about Maharaja Dulip Singh Memorial Kothi was screened before the audience
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