Armed forces preparatory institute in Sonepat: CM
CHANDIGARH:Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced that an armed forces preparatory institute will be set up at Khanda village in Sonepat district at a cost of Rs 50 crore and it will be named after Banda Bahadur.
Speaking at Sheri Khanda Shaurya Divas organised at Khanda-Sheri village, Khattar said Baba Banda Bairagi (popularly known as Banda Bahadur) had had raised an army against Mughals at Khanda village on November 3, 1709 and had fought against injustice.
The institute will provide training to selected boys from the state for commission into the armed forces through National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA) and other central armed police forces.
The CM said Baba Banda Bairagi had formed his capital at Lohgarh (Yamunanagar district) where the present state government was also setting up a memorial at a fort over an 7,000 acres.
He also announced beautifica-
WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO BOYS FROM THE STATE FOR COMMISSION INTO ARMED FORCES
tion of Nagawali Talab in Khanda a village and unveiled a statue of Banda Bahadur there. He went around an exhibition organised by Bairagi Samaj.
Later, he also paid obeisance at Nirmohi Maladhari Akhada Mandir. It was here that Banda Bahadur had stayed for about nine months and set up his army’s headquarters.
Earlier, Khattar also distributed 250 cycles to girls of the village and flagged off a mobile medical van which would have paramedical staff and provide medical facility in nearby villages. He also inaugurated several other projects on the occasion.