By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal : The Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the 150th year of the first freedom struggle of India in 1857 would be observed with pomp and patriotic fervour.
Chouhan, who was addressing the citizens of the state after taking salute of a grand parade and unfurling the national flag on the 60th Independence Day at Motilal Nehru Stadium here on Wednesday, said as many as 50 fellowships would be instituted to underline the overall contribution of Madhya Pradesh in the freedom struggle through documentation of the events before and during 1857 struggle. A National Independence Fellowship of Rs. five lakh would be instituted.
On May 10, 2007, special gram sabhas were held in memory of the first freedom struggle. A special pictorial story-book on the martyrs and freedom fighters of 1857 would be brought out. Patriotic songs that inspired the nation for freedom struggle are being played through “Watan Ka Raag”. A programme focused on stories of freedom struggle entitled Hindostan Hamara would start soon, he added.
He asked people to take the state to new heights of development and highlighted steps taken by the BJP Government in the state since it came to power in 2003.
Claiming addition of 2,400 MW power generation capacity, he said the government aims at producing 8,000 MW power during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12).
Chouhan said efficient financial management has enabled the state to increase allocations to different departments up to two folds. Government initiatives to develop infrastructure have attracted investments in sectors of food processing, tourism, IT and higher education, he added. ([email protected]