Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s 244th birth anniversary celebrated
The Amritsar Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Punjab, celebrated the 244th birth anniversary of the legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Dinanagar Baradri.
The organization with the support of heritage-related institutions organized a function at Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Summer Palace, a heritage site, at Dina Nagar where a special memorial service was also held. An essay competitions were organised in various schools across the city. Before the start of the event, students of the school cleaned the Baradri campus. After this, beautiful pandals were decorated on the Baradri campus.
Speaking on the occasion, Major General Balwinder Singh, Punjab convener, said INTACH was contemplating to take Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s legacy in every district by organising awareness campaigns throughout Punjab.
Gagandeep Singh Virk, Amritsar convener of INTACH, said they got to play a major role in saving this vanishing building related to the rich heritage of the state. He said the best way to save these heritage buildings is to turn these spots into tourist places.
On the occasion, a booklet prepared by Amritsar INTACH containing the writings of history writers and journalists Surinder Kochhar and Inderjit Singh Harpura, was also presented to the public.
Meanwhile, the Amritsar Vikas Manch also celebrated his birth anniversary and gathered near the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh situated at the historical Ram Bagh garden. The organisation members expressed their dismay over the current dismal conditions at the historic garden.
Principal Kulwant Singh Ankhi, Manmohan Singh Brar and Hardip Singh Chahal, all patrons of the organization, said the floor of the platform on which the staute stands has been broken. The tiles of the platform have come off. The statue may fall and collapse anytime. The custodian of the Ram Bagh has turned a blind eye towards the maintenance of the historic garden. Insiders say that most of the gardeners employed for the maintenance of the garden are deputed with the officers, a big concern to be addressed.
AVM members paid rich tributes to the legendary Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh and demanded from the MC Commissioner to restore the glory of the Ram Bagh.
