*“Azadi ki Pahli Ladai ka Shaheed Smarak” to be inaugurated soon – Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*Energy Minister Anil Vij holds meeting with officials of various departments at Shaheed Smarak and issues directions*

Chandigarh, May 23 — Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that the Shaheed Smarak dedicated to the First War of Independence of 1857 will be inaugurated soon. He directed the concerned officials and authorities that since Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini recently visited and reviewed the memorial, all remaining minor works should now be completed on a war footing by the concerned departments and agencies.

Energy Minister Anil Vij was today chairing a meeting of officials from various departments at the Shaheed Smarak in Ambala Cantonment. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar, SDM Ambala Cantonment Kanika Goyal, and Shaheed Smarak Director Dr. Kuldeep Saini were also present on the occasion.

Chairing the meeting, Sh. Vij said that the memorial being constructed in honor of the First War of Independence is a national-level Smarak and tourists and visitors will come here to witness its grandeur and beauty. Keeping this in mind, all pending minor works related to the memorial must be completed with full dedication and urgency. He also expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the memorial.

During the meeting, after reviewing updates from the concerned agencies and departments, Sh. Vij issued directions regarding better ticketing arrangements, ensuring that no unauthorized entry or exit gates are installed, proper lighting arrangements inside the museum, lighting along stairways, installation of ramps, railings in the memorial premises, pathways extending from the galleries to the outer areas, and several other aspects related to visitor convenience and safety. He emphasized that since the inauguration of the Shaheed Smarak is nearing, all works should be carried out on a war footing.

Energy Minister Anil Vij also directed the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India to make arrangements for an accelerator lane outside the memorial on GT Road and to install decorative lighting and undertake plantation along the GT Road. He further instructed the Executive Engineer of the PWD Electrical Wing to ensure high-quality lighting arrangements both inside and outside the memorial so that visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Smarak during nighttime as well.

Sh. Vij also directed that factual details showing that the First War of Independence had actually begun from Ambala Cantonment — nearly 10 hours before the uprising in Meerut — should be prominently displayed. He said these historical events and details should be showcased through 3D technology so that tourists and visitors can gain complete knowledge about the First War of Independence, its events, and historical significance. He added that this grand memorial would become a source of inspiration for youth and future generations.

On this occasion, Shaheed Smarak Director Dr. Kuldeep Saini gave a detailed presentation regarding the works already completed under the grand memorial project and the remaining tasks yet to be finished. SDM Kanika Goyal, Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department V.K. Goyal, Executive Engineer of PWD Ritesh Goyal, Executive Engineer (Electrical) Naveen Rathi, Executive Engineer of the Public Health Department Harbhajan Singh, along with officials from various other departments, were also present during the meeting.

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*A person does not become human merely by birth; education makes one a better human being – Energy Minister Anil Vij*

*A child is like raw clay; it depends on educators what kind of person they shape through education – Anil Vij*

*Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become the world’s third-largest economy – Anil Vij*

Chandigarh, May 23 — Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that among all forms of service, imparting education is the noblest. He said that merely taking birth does not make a person truly human; education shapes an individual into a responsible human being and teaches discipline, values, and laws of society.

Sh. Vij was addressing people today during the annual function of Musaddi Lal Arya Girls High School in Bengali Mohalla, Ambala Cantonment.

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that a child is like raw clay, and just as a potter shapes clay into different forms, educators shape children through education into responsible citizens. He said the earlier Gurukul system differed greatly from modern schools. Schools mainly provide literacy and academic education, whereas Gurukuls also imparted values (moral and cultural values).

He said that Indian civilization is one of the oldest in the world. However, despite India once being known as the “golden bird,” foreign invaders repeatedly looted the country and influenced its culture. He remarked that even today, nearly 80 percent of children call their mothers “Mummy,” whereas Indian culture traditionally had unique names for every relationship. He said foreign influences gradually altered many of India’s original values and traditions. Quoting a famous line, he said: “यू तो रहा है दुश्मन दौरे-ए-जमां हमारा, कुछ तो है हस्ती मिटती नहीं हमारी”

He added that many invaders came to India, yet the nation always rose again with strength and resilience.

*Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has become the world’s third-largest economy – Vij*

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has progressed significantly. He said that when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, India’s economy ranked 14th globally, whereas today it has reached the third position. He added that the Prime Minister has pledged to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.

*There is no greater virtue than educating girls – Vij*

Sh. Vij said that educational institutions shape children into better human beings capable of facing future challenges. He remarked that those working in educational institutions deserve great respect. He emphasized that educating girls is among the greatest services to society, and the school is doing commendable work by providing quality education to girls. He added that there can be no greater virtue than this. He also appreciated the cultural performances presented by the students during the function, saying that their talent reflected how beautifully the school is nurturing and shaping the children.

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that before his address, several speakers had praised the development works carried out by him. He said that he is merely a “watchman” and that the government assistance provided is actually the people’s own trust and wealth. He added that it is due to the support and strength of the people that extensive development work has been possible in Ambala Cantonment. He claimed that the scale of development witnessed in Ambala Cantonment is unmatched and that development work itself speaks louder than words.

Sh. Vij further said that a national-level Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs’ Memorial) is being constructed in Ambala Cantonment, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi may inaugurate soon. He said that this would be the country’s first memorial dedicated to the First War of Independence of 1857, whose movement had begun from Ambala Cantonment.

*Rs 10 lakh assistance granted to the school*

During the programme, Energy Minister Anil Vij provided financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the school management. On this occasion, School Manager O.P. Singla, Patron Vijay Gupta, Principal Sarita Adlakha, Manager Ved Prakash Madan, Municipal Council Vice Chairman Lalta Prasad, Councillors Madan Lal Sharma and Mahesh Aggarwal, along with BJP leaders Ravi Buddhiraja, Pravesh Sharma, Anil Bahl, Deepak Bhasin, Dr. Dinesh Aggarwal, Anuj Yadav, Anil Nagar, and several other dignitaries were present.