Khalsa complex stone on Nov 22

CHANDIGARH, Oct 27: The foundation stone of the Rs 250 crore Khalsa Heritage complex at Anandpur Sahib on November 22 next would be the f...

CHANDIGARH, Oct 27: The foundation stone of the Rs 250 crore Khalsa Heritage complex at Anandpur Sahib on November 22 next would be the first gala event as part of the 300th anniversary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa in April next.

Finance Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, incharge of the ceremonies as general secretary of the Akali Dal, today announced at a packed news conference the Panj Piaras five beloved ones from Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, would perform the ceremony amidst beating of drums and blowing of trumpets followed by fireworks display.

The heritage complex has been conceptualised by eminent Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, the designer of the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and Jewish Museum in Los Angles. Nishan-e-Khalsa, set slightly from the complex upon a small hill, is the heart of the Ajooba project and has been designed by Chandigarh architect Satnam Singh. It would be a 60 metre high steel Khanda rising from a pool. The museum would house the most complete collection of Sikh history anywhere. The state of the art interactive, multi media technology for the museum is being developed by Dr. Saroj Ghose in his capacity as adviser to the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, the agency entrusted with the implementation of these projects spread over about 70 acres of land.

The Finance Minister said the Panj Piaras would be taken in a big ceremonial procession starting from Takht Keshgarh Sahib. The five jathedars of the Takhts would ride an elephant followed by five columns of caparisoned horses three hundred strong accompanied by bands. The religious and political leaders would follow in open jeeps.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra would unveil foundation monument after ardas by Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Prof. Manjit Singh.

The foundation ceremony would be followed by a big public meeting where the leaders would give their message to the community.

Capt. Kanwaljit Singh said the projects would be completed in about four years. Donations would be sought from the public. The state government would allocate Rs 35 crore to the Anandpur Sahib Foundation for these projects this year. The state government would contribute a total of Rs 160 crore over the period. The ceremony would be telecast live from Delhi and Jalandhar centres for two hours.