Amritsar, February 10:The 180th martyrdom anniversary of the great Sikh general Sham Singh Attariwala was observed with deep respect and solemnity by the Punjab Government at India Gate and at his samadhi in Attari. The state-level commemoration ceremony was attended by Punjab Public Works Minister Sardar Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. as the Chief Guest. MLA Jaswinder Singh Ramdas from Attari constituency and MLA Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu from Amritsar West were present as Special Guests.
At the memorial near India Gate dedicated to General Sham Singh Attariwala, floral tributes were offered by Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O., MLA Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Brigadier S.S. Jamwal Commander 54 Infantry Brigade, Colonel Sumit Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SDM Manakwal Singh Chahal, Colonel Harinder Singh, and Colonel Kuldeep Singh. Personnel of Punjab Police also paid tribute by reversing their arms in ceremonial salute.
Later, at Attari, religious ceremonies were held at the samadhi following the bhog of Shri Akhand Path Sahib. Hazuri Ragi Bhai Gurjeet Singh Banka from Sri Darbar Sahib performed devotional hymns, while the Dhadi Jatha of Bhai Gurpreet Singh Bhangoo narrated the life and martyrdom of General Sham Singh Attariwala. A large number of devotees gathered to pay their respects.
Speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. described Sham Singh Attariwala as one of the greatest generals of the Sikh community who fought bravely till his last breath in the Battle of Sobraon during the Anglo Sikh War. He stated that even the British acknowledged his courage and sacrifice. He emphasized that martyrs are the heritage of the community and remembering them is our moral responsibility.
The minister also announced that Attari village would be developed further so that visitors coming to witness the Retreat Ceremony could also visit the samadhi and educate their children about the great martyr’s sacrifice. He urged people to participate in such commemorative events and stay connected with their history.
Members of Sham Singh Attari’s family and trust officials including Colonel Harinder Singh Attari, Malwinder Attari, Bir Inder Singh, General Secretary Harpreet Singh Sidhu, Biba Amiteshwar Kaur, Biba Jaspreet Kaur, Biba Sandeep Kaur, Dinesh Singh Sidhu, Inder Jasbir Singh Sandhu Lopoake, Anantbir Singh, Charanjit Singh, Ramandeep Kaur, Ravi Inder Singh, Colonel Gurbant Singh, Mrs. Harman Singh, Jaskiran Kaur, Ramandeep Kaur, and Sarpanch Harpreet Singh were specially honored. On the occasion, Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. also released the book titled “The Last Pillar of Sikh Rule – Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala” authored by Dr. Kulwinder Kaur Minhas.
Among those present were Mrs. Surinder Kaur wife of the Cabinet Minister, former Indian Air Force officer Nirmal Singh Bedi, Colonel Kuldeep Singh, President of Dhan Dhan Baba Deep Singh Ji Hariyali Mission Kanwaljeet Singh, Rachhpal Singh, Subedar Major Manjit Singh, Narinder Singh, along with a large number of local residents and school students.
KL JIT WALIA
