Nagpur: “Many persons spent golden years of their life for independence struggle of our country and they put the country first over their families. Today, we are living in independent country due to the sacrifices made by these martyrs. While making sacrifices, they must have never thought that one day their memorial will come up. Today, it is time to draw inspiration from them,” said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis here.
He was speaking during the inauguration of the newly-made martyrs memorial at Zero Mile on Sunday morning.
On the occasion of Kranti Din on August 9, 1942, Fadnavis paid tributes to martyrs who made sacrifices for the independence of India.
He said, “The fruits of independence should be taken to the downtrodden people through the medium of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar”s Constitution.”
Earlier, chairman of Nagpur Improvement Trust Shyam Wardhane said that the tri-centenary festival of Nagpur was celebrated in 2003. During that period, the decision to construct build a memorial for 100 known and unknown martyrs, who laid down their lives for the country, was taken.
Senior journalist and social activist Umesh Choube reminded that the location of the inauguration ceremony of martyrs” memorial was witness to the freedom struggle.
Present on the dais were Union minister for surface transport Nitin Gadkari, chairman, editorial board of Lokmat Media and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Darda, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, mayor Praveen Datke, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Vikas Kumbhare and Sudhakar Kohale, MLC Prakash Gajbhiye, divisional commissioner Anoop Kumar, municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar, former MLA Yadavrao Deogade, NIT trustee Ravindra Bhoyar, chairman of standing committee of Nagpur Municipal Corporation Ramesh Singare and others.During the programme, three freedom fighters of Nagpur namely Adv Narayan Chandpurkar, Pundlik Javanjal and Vitthal Gode were felicitated and shawl and memento were presented to them.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari said, “The martyrs” memorial will inspire future generations. Our country has glorious past which needs to be preserved.”
He also said that deputy mayor Munna Pokulwar had given the proposal of construction of aquarium on defence ministry”s land situated near Morris College T-point along with its beautification. The defence ministry has given no objection certificate for developing a landmark on the said land, he added. Development expected from NIT Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to NIT to develop unauthorised layouts in the city and give freedom to the residents of these layouts in the real sense of the term. He said that poor people expect NIT to build roofs over their heads.
Three freedom fighters of Nagpur namely Adv Narayan Chandpurkar, Pundlik Javanjal and Vitthal Gode were felicitated and shawl and memento were presented to them. (Left) The awe-inspiring Shahid Smarak at Zero-Mile. (R) Freedom fighters of the city Adv Narayan Chandpurkar, Pundlik Javanjal and Vitthal Gode along with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister for surface transport Nitin Gadkari, chairman, editorial board of Lokmat Media and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Darda, guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, mayor Praveen Datke and other guests after their felicitation during the inaugural function of Shahid Smarak on August Kranti Din on Sunday.
