VIKRAM DITYA SHARMA/FEROZEPORE
On the occasion of 60th death anniversary of great revolutionary Batukeshwar Dutt, who was a close aide of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, a group of 35 members including Dr Bharti Bagchi , daughter of Batukeshwar Dutt paid tributes to the martyr at the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala on Saturday .
Later, the members of the group, most of whom belonged to the families of martyrs, also watched the Retreat Ceremony at Hussainiwala Joint Check Post.
On this occasion, Dr. Bharti Bagchi said that the martyrs had fought for India's freedom and it was because of their sacrifices that we are breathing in the free air today. She said that she feels proud to be the daughter of Batukeshwar Dutt and of the fact that her father had played an important role in the freedom struggle.
(SUBHEAD)Kranti Kumar Katiyar, son of Dr. Gya Prasad Katiyar who was also a close aide of Bhagat Singh and used to run a pharmacy under the fake name of B S Nigam in the old double storey building situated at Turi Bazaar, said that this building is not less than a pilgrimage for him. “Whenever I come to this place, my heart fills with great emotions. It is sad that despite being announced as a protected monument, the government has failed to setup a musium and a library in the memory of the martyrs”, said Katiyar.
The other family members including Kiranjit Singh nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Satyasheel (nephew of martyr Rajguru) and Anuj Thapar (grandson of martyr Sukhdev Thapar) also requested that the government should develop the building as a heritage site so that it could be an inspiration for future generations.
Sukriti, 31, said that she was proud to be part of the martyr's family and that her ancestors had fought against the British without fear. She felt peaceful after attending the Retreat Ceremony and paid her respects at the memorial.”
