Capt: Chapter on Sham Singh Attariwala in schoolbooks soon

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 10 

A “state-level” function to pay tributes to Sardar Shyam Singh Attariwala at his native village Attari ended on a disappointing note, with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh leaving the venue owing to poor turnout. The function was held to mark the 172nd martyrdom day of General Attariwala who laid down his life while fighting the British during the  1846 Anglo-Sikh battle in Sobraon. 

The Punjab Public Relations  Department clarified that the CM was not supposed to address the public at Attari. “It was a solemn occasion and no public meeting was planned. Any function held  at Attari village later was a private one and the state government was not involved in it,” a government spokesperson said. 

Nevertheless, questions are being raised on the need for raising a dais and making sitting arrangements for dignitaries accompanying the CM, including Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu and MP Gurjeet Aujla, if the CM was not to address the gathering.

Garlanding the statue of General Attariwala at India Gate, the CM said the Punjab School Education Board had been directed to incorporate a chapter on the General in schoolbooks. The NCERT too had been approached in this regard.

He said initiatives had been taken to promote Attari village, including renaming the Attari railway station and the integrated check-post (ICP) after the Sikh soldier. 

The Defence Ministry had been approached to ask the Western Command to hold a rally of ex-servicemen at Attari every year and the Ministry of Communications to make Attari a Wi-Fi zone. The CM announced Rs 10 lakh for sports infrastructure and a museum in the Sikh warrior’s memory.

Responding to a request by General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala Trust for a guide at the museum, the CM offered to train three jobless youths of Attari as tourist guides. 

Capt: Looking forward to talks with Trudeau 

Amritsar: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday reiterated his stand on the forthcoming visit of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he would be happy to welcome the dignitary. He said he was looking forward to having meaningful talks with him in view of the recent statements of his Sikh ministers. Trudeau is slated to visit the Golden Temple on February 21. The CM said Trudeau’s ministers had categorically disassociated themselves from the Khalistani separatists. TNS