Sound & light programme on 100 years of cellular jail inaugurated
EVENT TO GENERATE IN YOUTH AWARENESS ABOUT FREEDOM STRUGGLE
Cellular Jail is a centre of national pilgrimage, not just a place for tourism and our children need to visit this national pilgrimage to imbibe the spirit of nationalism. This was stated by Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri P. R. Dasmunsi while inaugurating a programme on the centenary of Cellular Jail, late last evening. The Minister said that 9th August being the Quit India Movement Day is very relevant to mark the 100 years of the infamous Jail in Port Blair, where hundreds of freedom fighters attained martyrdom.
Shri Dasmunsi said preparations are underway to celebrate the 150th year of the 1857 war of freedom, 100 years of Vande Matram and 100th birth anniversary of Sardar Bhagat Singh in 2007. All political parties across the spectrum are committed to observe these events in a befitting manner, he added. Administrator of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M. M. Lakhera in his remarks said that we intend to send a message to the younger generation and a feeling of nationalism through these events. He said, the programmes on centenary of Cellular Jail were started in March this year and the Delhi leg of programmes is the third in the series. A year long programmes will be held all over the country in this regard he added.
A sound and light programme “Samar Yatra” – a tribute to the heroes of freedom struggle and martyrs, based on the theme of freedom struggle of India and Cellular Jail was presented by the artistes of Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. It depicted 90 years history of freedom struggle with important incidents and milestones of the period from 1857 to 1947 and one hundred years of Cellular jail.
Main narrative consisted of important events of our struggle for freedom including, arrival of East India company in India till first war of independence in 1857; beginning of the British rule till the dawn of reformist movement in the country, Britishers’ ruthless behaviour to suppress the demand for political freedom; Gandhi’s emergence on the political scene; massacre of Jalianwala Bagh; non-violent civil disobedience and clarion call to the nation for Poorna Swaraj; quit India movement; partition and ultimately freedom at the stroke of mid-night of 14 August, 1947.
Several freedom fighters and a large number of people including school children watched the programme organised jointly by Song & Drama Division and Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
On the occasion, Publications Division brought out a set of seven CDs on various facets of the country’s heritage at a concessional rate. The CDs were released by the Hon’ble Minister, Shri P. R. Dasmunsi, as part of the “Samar Yatra” inauguration. Each of the CDs takes the viewers on a virtual tour through monuments such as the Sun Temple at Konark, the Qutab Minar, the Sanchi Stupa and the Grat Chola Temple at Thanjavur. Indian paintings and the Great Spiritual Reformer Adi Shankara are some of the other themes in the CDs.
The Minister also released a second edition of the book ‘Jabtshooda Geet’ of the book to mark 100 years of Cellular Jail. The book is a collection of the various inspirational songs, which were sung by freedom fighters during their struggle against colonialism.
In addition, a photo exhibition by DAVP and a book exhibition by Publications Division on the same theme are also set up at the same venue during the entire schedule of programme.
The week long programme will be held everyday up to 15th August at Sirifort Auditorium from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and is open to the public.
RS/AS
(Release ID :19696)