Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 17: The 192nd Raj Tilak Day of Maharaja Gulab Singh was celebrated at Jeo Pota Ghat at Akhnoor, the place where he was crowned as Maharaja of J&K by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The function was organized by Maharaja Gulab Singh Raj Tilak Celebration Committee in collaboration with Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust, Akhnoor.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, Members of Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma and Ch Lal Singh, Vice-Chairman of OBC Board, Kuldeep Raj Verma, Maj Gen (retd) G S Jamwal, Brig J S Rajput, Capt Bana Singh, President Rajput Sabha Jammu and Secretary and President of Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust were among large number of people present on the occasion.
Paying tributes to Maharaja Gulab Singh, Sham Lal Sharma said that contribution of Maharaja for welfare and development of the State would be recognized and remembered by generations to come. He described him as a visionary, brave and great human being who provided justice to all and treated the public as his own family members.
He said that Maharaja Gulab Singh took personal interest in the management of the affairs of the State and restored order in his territories, reduced refractory chiefs and through remarkable campaigns connected Kishtwar, Baltistain, Ladakh and Gilgit.
Earlier, the Minister and the local MP laid foundation stone for Jeo Pota Maharaja Gulab Singh Library at Higher Secondary School Akhnoor. The focus will be laid on equipping this library with literature containing rich cultural heritage of Jammu region apart from other informative material.
Referring to works taken up at the right bank of river Chenab including Jeo Pota Ghat, Sham Lal Sharma said that a comprehensive plan for channelization in the river Chenab is in progress. He informed that the place is being developed on the pattern of Harki Pori Haridwar in view of the significance of the spot for local people, adding that Akhnoor fort is also being developed as heritage site.
Speaking on the occasion, Madan Lal Sharma said that the Central Government was making every efforts to restore the pristine glory of heritage sites and steps are being taken to show case these to attract the tourist and increase their stay in the state, particularly the pilgrims tourists of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi and Shiv Khori shrine.
Ch Lal Singh, in his address, highlighted the importance of Jeo Pota where historic Raj Tilak ceremony was performed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh for anointment of Gulab Singh as Ruler of Jammu.
Later, the Minister and MPs inaugurated Philatelic Exhibition besides releasing a special postal cover depicting Raj Tilak ceremony of June 17, 1822. The exhibition displayed more than 20,000 rare and varied stamps of Jammu and Kashmir, which was organized by Director Postal Services Jammu and Kashmir Circle Jagdeep Gupta.
Earlier, K P Singh, Chairman of Celebration Committee suggested establishing a Religious Teaching Centre on the name of Maharaja Gulab Singh in or around Ambaran to revive the pristine religious glory of Akhnoor.
Capt Bana Singh, Bimla Pawar, first women Sena Medal winner, Katab Hussain, President’s Police Medalist, Mohit Rana, KAS Topper 2012, sculptor Ravinder Jamwal, artist Sudhir Jamwal and Akhil Bhau, 1st position holder of 12th of State Board were honoured for being the great achievers in their fields.
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