Punjab Tourism & cultural affairs, investment promotion minister Anmol Gagan Mann on Tuesday said that the Punjab government would develop Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial, popularly known (Bassian Kothi) as an international tourist hub. Bassian Kothi was a more than 200-year-old monument of Sikh heritage, which was developed into a memorial in remembrance of the Late Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh Maharaja.
It was at Bassian Kothi where Maharaja Duleep Singh was kept in captivity for the night before his exile.
Presiding over a function held to celebrate World Heritage Day here, Anmol Gagan Mann said that all development works in this historical place would be completed timely.
She said that for promoting tourism in Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government has been working with officials and experts as the state has enormous potential for water and adventure, and religious and cultural tourism.
She also thanked the Rajya Sabha MP Sanjiv Arora for announcing Rs 20 lakh for the development of Bassian Kothi. Mann said that the development and beautification of Bassian Kothi would attract tourists within the country and abroad and place Punjab and Ludhiana on the international tourist map.
Addressing the people, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjiv Arora said that despite being a Ludhianavi, he was not aware of the importance of this place but now he will make efforts to promote this historic place.
He also announced to release of Rs 20 lakh rupees for the development of this place and added will make continue to work for this place.
Apart from Anmol Gagan Mann, Punjab Arts Council Chairman Dr. Surjit Patar, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, IG Dr. Kaustubh Sharma, Former Chairman of Farmers’ Commissioner Avtar Singh Dhindsa, CP Mandip Singh Sidhu, Kanwardeep Singh, Trustee Pirthipal Singh, Parminder Singh Jattpuri, Dr. Anurag Singh and others released a documentary prepared by Harpreet Singh Sandhu. Earlier, the selfie point developed by Harpreet Singh Sandhu was also inaugurated by the guests at this place.
In his address, Chairman of Maharaja Duleep Singh Memorial Charitable Trust Bassian- Prof. Gurbhajan Singh Gill said that this Kothi was where Maharaja Dalip Singh, the youngest son of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, detained as the sovereign ruler of Punjab.
After capturing Maharaja Dalip Singh from Lahore on December 21, 1849, he was brought to Bassian Kothi via Kahna-Kacha, Laliani, Ferozepur, Mudki, Baghapurana, Badhni, Lopon, Mallan, Manuke Sandhua, and Jattpura.
Chairman of Punjab Arts Council, Dr. Surjit Patar also detailed Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Sikh Raj and also shared the poem Tazposhi with the audience.
Earlier, a Punjabi cultural art fair was organized by the Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Charitable Trust here which was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Surbhi Malik. Raikot MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar presided over the inaugural function.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina and Ashok Parashar Pappi, DMC heart specialist Dr. Bishav Mohan, noted industrialist Upkar Singh Ahuja, Gurmeet Singh Kular, Founder of Diwan Todar Mal Hospital NRI Manjeet Singh Dhaliwal, Karamjeet Singh Grewal, writer Buta Singh Chauhan, Retired IPS Gurpreet Singh Toor, Sawarnjeet Savi, Prabhjot Sohi, Balbir Singh Raikoti and others.
Folk music performances by Chairman Punjab Genco Limited Navjot Singh Mander, Folk instrument playing and Malwai Giddha by eminent poet and folk artist Amritpal Singh Pali Khadim, Gatka performance by a team of International Sikh Martial Art Council led by Chairman Harjit Singh Grewal, the folk dance Bhangra traditional Sialkoti presentation led by Balveer Singh Kolha mesmerized the audience.
Danveer, who lives in Toronto and Dalbir Singh Kathuria, Chairman of Vishwa Punjabi Sabha Toronto donated turbans as gifts. The winners of the senior and junior category students in the turban competition were given cash prizes sponsored by Sahil America, with the support of Virsa Shavna Sirdari Lehar Punjab.
Famous Sufi singer Mohammad Irshad from North Zone Cultural Center Patiala was also enthralled with his soulful Sufi performance.Meanwhile, Raikot MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar handed over a cheque worth Rs 5 lakh for the construction of the entry gate of this memorial.