Jang-e-Azadi memorial catches youth’s fancy

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Kartarpur (Jalandhar), March 25

The Jang-e-Azadi memorial built in commemoration of sacrifices made by thousands of Punjabis for the freedom struggle has turned out to be a rage among people of the state and other parts of the country.

The memorial set up on 25 acres near Kartarpur is aimed at disseminating knowledge among the youth about Punjab’s rich culture, heritage and unsung heroes and “sons of the soil”, who laid down their lives to free the country from the shackles of the British regime.

The memorial’s first phase was opened in November 2016, while the second one was dedicated to the people on March 6 by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

The Chief Minister has already sanctioned Rs 25 crore to the memorial management to enable it to come out with the building’s third phase.

The third phase, official sources said, was likely to be completed within three months. It is likely to display huge replicas of Komagatamaru and Jallianwala Bagh tragedies apart from installing 15 to 18 statues of martyrs, including Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

The memorial has started drawing huge crowds. It has caught the fancy of the youth, who make it a point to visit the memorial on the way to the Golden Temple.

“As of now, 2,50,000 visitors have visited the memorial of which 50,000 visitors have enjoyed the 45-minute laser show. Over 2,00,000 visitors have also visualised the concept of the memorial via a 90-minute movie produced and directed by Bollywood film-maker Shayam Benegal on the memorial as well as freedom struggle,” said Punjab Freedom Movement Memorial Foundation CEO Vinay Bublani. There is a footfall of 2,000 to 2,500 people on weekends.

The main attractions at the memorial include a 3-D immersive dome, wherein 100 years of freedom struggle of India and the role of Punjabis in it has been showcased. A 10-mintute show on the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also a part of the package. Year-wise struggle for freedom of the country has been depicted through three galleries.