VP releases stamp to mark centenary

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 13

On behalf of the nation, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes and laid wreaths at the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial to commemorate the massacre of unarmed innocent people during the British Indian government rule here on this day 100 years ago.

Accompanied by Governor VP Singh Badnore, he released a commemorative postal stamp and a coin in memory of the martyrs.

A two-minute silence was observed to pay respect to the martyrs. “Sarv dharm prarthna” was also recited.

He wrote in the visitors’ book that he was humbled by paying tributes at the place where hundreds of people sacrificed their lives during freedom struggle.

“The pain and agony caused by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre continue to rankle in the heart of every Indian. This is a day to reaffirm India’s centuries’ long commitment to the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” he stated.

The Vice President tweeted that the massacre was the chilling reminder of the pursuit of colonial occupation. He said the countrymen must learn from such ghastly historic incidents to value and maintain freedom. He called upon the world fraternity to put in collective efforts to establish permanent peace in the world. He said all countries must establish a just world with equal opportunity in which sovereignty, power and responsibility must be shared values.

He also watched the photo exhibition on the massacre, put up by the Regional Bureau of Outreach and Communication, a part of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was not present when Naidu visited the memorial.

History cautions us to learn from past

History is not a mere chronicle of events. It shows us the depths to which depraved minds can plunge and cautions us to learn from the past. It also tells us that the power of evil is transient. M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-President

Day of sacrifice can never be forgotten

100 years ago on this day, our beloved freedom fighters were martyred at Jallianwala Bagh. A horrific massacre, a stain on civilisation, that day of sacrifice can never be forgotten by India. Ram Nath Kovind, President

Martyrs’ memory is source of inspiration  

India pays tribute to all those martyred on that fateful day. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Their memory inspires us to work even harder to build an India they would be proud of. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Cost of freedom must not be forgotten

The cost of freedom must never ever be forgotten. We salute the people of India who gave everything they had for it (the country’s independence). Rahul Gandhi, Congress Chief