Wadda Ghallughara Memorial yet to get recognition it deserves

More than 13 years after the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated the Wadda Ghallughara Memorial on November 29, 2011, it is yet to be widely recognised as a tourist spot.

While the district administration had long ago initiated steps to improve the facilities at Memorial Rohira to attract more tourists, the preoccupied schedule of the officials in the departments concerned has resulted in a situation where the memorial receives only local visitors.

Acknowledging the feeble response the memorial has received, organisers said they expected the number of visitors to increase

after an Interpretation Centre is established.

Amandeep Kaur, incharge, front desk, said the number of visitors varied between 50 and 60 on normal days but weekends and special occasions attracted around 500.

“Though the number of visitors on normal days is not very encouraging, it multiplies on weekends and special occasions,” said Amandeep, maintaining that the number would further increase once the Interpretation Centre became operational. Display of short duration cultural and historical films had emerged as an attraction for visitors, she added.

Amandeep further said that the governing body of the memorial under the supervision of its ex-officio chairperson and Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner had been closely monitoring the upkeep and maintenance of various sections of the memorial.

“We have been advised to ensure that visitors, including intellectuals, researchers, foreigners and students are entertained in such a manner that their visit comes out to be the most, educative besides being recreational,” said Amandeep.

The personnel at the memorial have been advised to ensure that more documentaries on Sikh history in general and Vadda Ghallughara in particular are arranged and the screening of these is held according to the convenience of visitors.

On November 29, 2011, then CM Parkash Singh Badal had inaugurated the memorial a few months ahead of the 2012 Assembly elections.

The memorial commemorated the sacrifice of over 35,000 members of the Sikh community, including children and women. They were massacred by the armed forces of Ahmed Shah Abdali on February 5, 1762.

Spread across 11 acres, the memorial includes a 110-feet high tower, open air theatre, auditorium and information centre, besides an Interpretation Centre which is yet to be completed.