Boards of fame to come up in Haryana’s countryside

CHANDIGARH: Martyrs like Risaldar (subedar) Badlu Singh from each of Haryana’s 7,000 villages will now receive honour and prominence, with the state government finding out about all such prominent personalities in the villages. The government has decided to set up Gaurav Patts (Pride Boards), where the names of heroes like Badlu Singh will be mentioned to recall stories of their courage.
As many as 98 years after Singh, recipient of the Victoria Cross for bravery, sacrificed his life fighting for the British Indian Army during World War-I in Palestine, the soil from his cemetery in Egypt was brought to his native village Dhakla (Jhajjar) in Haryana on May 3. A delegation from Haryana, led by state development and panchayat minister Om Prakash Dhankar -- that had gone to Egypt to participate in a seminar on climate change -- had brought the soil to India to recall his bravery. On Thursday, his name was mentioned on the Gaurav Patt installed at the entrance of his village.
Not only Badlu Singh, but other names from village Dhakla -- like Kanwal Singh, who was honoured with Sher-e-Hind (Tiger of India) medal by the Azad Hind Fauj -- would also be mentioned on the board. “We have come to know that as many as 19 persons from this village had sacrificed their lives during different battles since World War-I,” says Dhankar, who is also a native of Dhakla village.
On Thursday, the government organized functions to set up such boards in at least one village in all the 21 districts of the state. The initiative is aimed at awakening the pride of residents for their villages. “With this move, many untold stories are coming out,” adds Dhankar. Minister of state for labour and employment Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated a Gaurav Patt at village Pai in district Kaithal. “Gaurav Patts would give a new identity to persons with outstanding achievements in various fields, and would make people aware of the history of their villages,” added Saini.
Haryana is known as the state with the best sportspersons in the country. Now, the BJP government would also project such medal winners on the village boards. Like village Kaluwas of Bhiwani will be proud to display the name of its resident, the well-known boxer Vijender Singh.
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GAURAV PATTS
Gaurav Patts (Pride Boards) -- set up at the entrance of villages -- would also have the names of prominent donors, who helped carry out development works like construction of rooms in schools, and offering financial help. “Such boards would not only inspire the younger generation, but also impress the villagers and their guests,” said minister Om Prakash Dhankar.