By IANS
New Delhi : The central government Friday asked states to organise commemorative functions at the grassroots level to mark the 150th anniversary of the country's first war of Independence and the 60th anniversary of Independence in order to familiarise the youth with history.
Addressing chief ministers and their representatives here, Human Resource Development Minister and Chairman of National Implementation Committee Arjun Singh said the functions at the grassroots level would enable the youth to familiarise themselves with the values and ideals which emerged out of the freedom struggle.
Singh said the National Implementation Committee had received some projects for financial assistance from states and felt many of them could be taken up by the states themselves.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said the meeting of chief ministers was held to focus on the important role of states in taking the message of freedom struggle to people.
Home Minister Shivraj V. Patil said with the participation of all states the celebrations would be more meaningful and useful.
The meeting discussed several aspects of the commemoration, including the setting up of state level committees for chalking out programmes.