Bhagat Singh’s village to become a cultural heritage site

The Faisalabad government has proposed to develop Bangai, the village of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, as a cultural heritage site with a budget of Rs two crore as part of a plan to restore places of historical significance.

Malik Mushtaq Tiwana, District Personnel Management Officer, said Hindu said over the phone that Bangai, located 150 km from Lahore, would be developed along with five other heritage villages in the area. The cost of the project, which will be implemented by the Lyallpur Heritage Trust, is Rs 12 crore.

According to Mr. Tiwana, the proposal will soon be sent to the Punjab Chief Minister for approval. The idea was to restore significant places in villages to their original appearance and provide infrastructure so that people could visit them.

Apart from Bangai, Gangapur, the village of engineer and philanthropist Sir Gangaram, freedom fighter Ahmed Khan’s Kharal and two other villages of national importance will be developed. The funds will be used to renovate villages and provide much-needed basic amenities. The villages are among the list of 45 historical sites recently notified by the Faisalabad district government.

Classes are still going on

The house where Bhagat Singh was born and the school where he studied will be restored to their original form. The one-room government primary school still stands, its walls and roof collapsed. But the chalkboard and some of the old door frames remained intact. Even now, several classes are held on the school grounds as a mark of respect to Bungay’s most famous son. Bhagat Singh’s house is occupied and the authorities are hoping to acquire it with the consent of the owners.

Last December, for the first time, the dilapidated primary school where Bhagat Singh attended as a child was sung for the first time after his execution. Madeha Gauhar, director of Mera Rang De Basanti Chola, choreographed several songs from the Bungay production.