Culture, Public Relations and Higher Education Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma has said that the State Government is committed to perpetuating the memories of great martyrs. The State Government has instituted programmes to honour great patriots like Amar Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad, Karntiveer Tantya Bhil, Bhima Naik etc. The Culture Minister was addressing a Balidan Mela at Gwalior on Saturday. The fair in the name of martyrs is being held continuously for the last 12 years by vice-president of 20-point programme implementation committee Shri Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya at the same place where Maharani Laxmi Bai had laid down her life for India’s independence.
At the Mela held to mark 153rd martyrdom day of Veerangna Laxmi Bai, Culture Minister Shri Sharma and young national saint Shri Bhayyuji Maharaj bestowed Veerangna Samman 2011 on Baby Palak Muchhal.The Culture Minister said that the State Government will continue the process of perpetuating memories of warriors of Independence struggle and instilling a sense of patriotism among the young generation. The government is going to launch a channel ‘Azad Hind’, which will be first channel in India highlighting the contribution of great freedom fighters through patriotic songs.
Sant Shri Bhayyu Maharaj said that culture cannot be kept alive without giving due respect to mother’s power. Manners are the basis of culture. Good manners create emotions in which a mother plays vital role. He assailed the malpractice of girl embryo killing and said that if we want to have true respect for brave women like Veerangna Laxmi Bai, then we will have to keep alive the girl child developing in mother’s womb.
After receiving Veerangna Samman, Sushri Palal Muchhal announced to spend the award money on the treatment of a poor girl of Nasik, Maharashtra. Earlier also, Baby Palak Muchhal, who is famous for singing songs, has spent her prize money on the treatment of hundreds of poor children suffering from chronic and serious diseases.
Relatives of Tantya Bhil, other martyrs honoured
Various relatives of great martyrs were also honoured at the Mela including Krantiveer Tantya Bhil’s relative Shri Rupchandra and relatives of Gwalior-Chambal region’s martyrs Shaheed Prabhu Singh and Rajendra Singh. The Veerangna Protsahan Pursukar, instituted from the current year, was bestowed on Ku. Shivani Mishra for securing more than 90 per cent marks in class X exams. Rs. 11 thousand and citation were given to Ku. Mishra.
Chief Minister’s message read out
At the Balidan Mela, Public Relations and Culture Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma read out a message of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to the people of the state. Reading the CM’s message, Shri Sharma said that the martyrdom day of Rani Laxmi Bai is a special occasion for every patriot. It reminds us about the great struggle after which we have attained Independence. The Rani’s martyrdom day gives us inspiration to take a pledge to fight against injustice, corruption and exploitation. Giving contribution to development of a prosperous and developed State will be the true tribute to the Rani. It is our responsibility to inform the young generation about the sacrifice and braveness of Maharani Laxmi Bai. The Rani has taught us that respect to the Mother Land is above all and waging a struggle for self-esteem is necessary.
At the conclusion, Shri Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya proposed a vote of thanks. In the last session, a Kavi Sammelan of patriotic poems was also organised.