PM visiting State on November 13

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, SEPT. 29. Claiming that he was ``greatly impressed by the massive response at the recent Sadbhavna Rally at Killianwali and abundant love shown by the people of Punjab,'' an official press release here today said that the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has consented to visit the State on November 13.

This time, Mr. Vajpayee would preside over the main function for the bicentenary celebrations of the Coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Amritsar on November 13, which is the birth anniversary of the legendary Sikh monarch. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, who chaired the meeting of the Concept Committee in Delhi recently, disclosed this.

The meeting was held to finalise the three-day programme of this mega-event being organised from November 11 to 13. It would be a magnificent show in consonance with the high stature and contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh towards promotion of humanism and secularism in the society.

A public rally has been scheduled for November 13, where the Prime Minister would address the people. Apart from the Chief Ministers of the neighbouring States, 22 Union Ministers are said to have given their consent to participate. The foundation stone of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama being set up at Ram Bagh in Amritsar will also be laid.

A high power sub-committee to decide the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award has been constituted with the Punjab Chief Minister as Chairman. The award would carry a cash component of Rs. 25 lakhs, a citation and a medal, which will be given to an individual for excellence in any field and bringing fame to Punjab.

The new dates for the programme of celebrations to be held in London, which had already been approved by the Concept Committee, are being rescheduled. These programmes, which where earlier scheduled to be held from September 19 to 21 in the U.K., were postponed due to the developments following the terrorist strikes in the U.S. on September 11.

The statement quoting Mr. Badal said the bicentennial commemorative programmes would start on November 11 with a ceremonial procession after a prayer ceremony at the Golden Temple. The procession will be attended by all sections of society.

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