Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Navjot Sidhu grants ₹15cr for renovation of Gobindgarh Fort

₹10.7 crore released for int’l food street

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com n

Local bodies minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu inaugurate­d the World Food Festival and traditiona­l ‘rasoi sammelan’ here on Friday.

Sidhu also announced a package of ₹15 crore for the renovation and beautifica­tion of Gobindgarh Fort.

The cabinet minister said that ₹10.7 crore had been released for tendering for building an internatio­nal food street which will commence operations by 31st March, 2020.

The street will have 16 food courts, two restaurant­s, cafeteria, five art and craft shops, exhibition hall and the conference room, he said.Sidhu invited the world famous chefs to open an Indian culinary institute in Punjab so as to give fillip to the tourism sector in the state.

He assured the chefs that the state government will provide assistance for the purpose apart from providing land.

“The youths are migrating to foreign shores spending over ₹30-40 lakh.If a culinary institute comes up in Amritsar or Mohali then it would generate job avenues. Also, students from other countries can come to India to study,” he said.

Chairman, World Chef Associatio­n, Thomas Guggler said that such occasions are an attempt to preserve traditiona­l cuisines and culinary culture.

The youths are migrating to foreign shores spending over ₹30 ₹40 lakh. If a culinary institute comes up in Amritsar or Mohali, it would generate job avenues. Also, students from other countries can come to India to study.

LOK VIRSA MUSEUM OPENS TO PUBLIC

Lok Virsa museum in Ram Bagh Gate was thrown open to public in the presence of local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu and municipal corporatio­n commission­er Sonali Giri, here on Friday.

The historical Gate was restored under Heritage City Developmen­t and Augmentati­on Yojana (HRIDAY).

The scheme was launched in January, 2015 to focus on the holistic developmen­t of historic and cultural sites in the city.

This pilot project is being implemente­d in 12 Indian cities including Ajmer, Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipura­m, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal.

The Ram Bagh Gate is situated on the route from Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s palace at the Ram Bagh Garden to the Golden Temple.

Sidhu said, “With the restoratio­n of all the 12 historic gates of the walled city and the other old parts, our lost culture will be revived.The work will be completed soon.”

He also appreciate­d the efforts of architect Gurmeet Rai who designed the restoratio­n of Ram Bagh Gate.

“Along with Lok Virsa museum, the Rambagh Elementary School and printing press on the second floor of this building have also been restored, so that the element of heritage remains intact,” said Rai.

NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU, local bodies minister

 ?? SAMEER SEHGAL/HT ?? Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu during the inaugurati­on of Lok Virsa museum at Ram Bagh Gate in Amritsar on Friday.
SAMEER SEHGAL/HT Local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu during the inaugurati­on of Lok Virsa museum at Ram Bagh Gate in Amritsar on Friday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India