Consigned to oblivion

However,in all this impromptu approach and haphazard development,some of the famous landmarks in the city have gradually fallen into oblivion.

Or should it be called a case of modernisation versus the conservation of historical monuments and landmarks in the city? The latter has always and is still losing out to the former?

Be it the historical Lodhi Fort or the house of freedom fighter Sukhdev Singh which is located in Naughara locality in Chaura Bazar,the city is now fast losing even the last traces of history from its map. Even the statues of the marytrs which once adorned the key locations and intersections have got displaced over the years.

The senior residents of the city question the very purpose of planning. “Is it all about removing all that was part of the history of the city when they think of development?” a resident asks.

Once the authorities had made a humble attempt to have the statues of the martyrs like Major Bhupinder Singh and Flying officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon,placed in memorium at the key points – at Bharat Nagar Chowk and Samrala Chowk respectively – today they lie displaced.

“The statues were removed from their original places on the pretext of introducing regulations in the traffic. But I want to ask if there has been any improve in regulating it post their displacement,” Darshan Arora,president of Ludhiana Citizens’ Council,remarks. “How will our children have any understanding of our history and heroes if we forget to accord them their right place?” he questioned.

The statue of Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon who hailed from Rurka village in Ludhiana is presently placed in the Mini Secretariat complex. Earlier,the statue used to occupy a prominent place at an important intersection point in the city. Sekhon who was attached with the 18 Squadron during the Indo-Pak 1971 war had laid down his life courageously and was honoured with highest gallantry honour Param Vir Chakra posthumously at the age of 28.

On the other hand,the statue of Major Bhupinder Singh,who had died fighting the enemy in the 1965 battle and awarded with Mahavir Chakra,has now been placed outside the wall of the Government College for Women alongside the road.

“There are no subways at the busy intersections like bus stand or Bharat Nagar Chowk,and nothing in the name of pavement for pedestrians. And then,to regulate traffic they displace the statues of heroes from where they deserve to be put up,” said Arora.

Another resident points out at the oblivion of the Lodhi Fort which brought into use the present name of the city. “The lack of planning in the city has been a major concern and some places have now become an eyesore. For example,a lot of encroachment and no care is given to the upkeep and preservation of the fort has rendered it non-existent,” he said.