Guest guest Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 Indian President to visit historic Punjab village after three decades ''Our endeavour is to make Sanghol a national model. We see the village's future as a fusion of modern techno-living with adherence to ancient Vedic values'', Singh said. GURPREET SINGH MEHAK Wednesday, 16 August 2006 SANGHOL(FATEHGARH SAHIB): It was 1975 when the then President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed visited Sanghol -- the ancient and archaeologically rich village. Now after three decades an Indian President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam would visit the historical village again on August 17. Sanghol, say the archaeologists, was very likely a prosperous and flourishing town around 3000 B.C. – that is, some five thousand years ago. Subsequently, Sanghol rose to be a major cultural centre in the Buddhist period. Sufficient evidence of this has been unearthed from artifacts such as pottery and other materials found under mounds of earth that mark the area. Among other notable things are the remains of a Buddhist Vihara – said to be the only one of its kind found in this region. The then village Sarpanch Varinder Mohan Tejpal still has fond memories of the day when Mr Ahmed sipped tea amidst the villagers and chatted with them for over half an hour. Recalling the President's visit, Tejpal said Ahmed was on his way to Ludhiana when residents of the village assembled at the entrance of the village and pursuaded his cavalcade to stop. When the President alighted from his car, the villagers accorded him a warm welcome and a touched Mr Ahmed agreed to their request to have tea with them. During the tea party, the President shared views with people and intently listened to their problems. ''He left for Ludhiana in a good mood,'' the then Sarpanch claimed. However, the people expectation that the village, known for its historic legacy, would get a much-needed face-lift, was only partially fulfilled. Though the drains and streets of the villagers were constructed but overall, the development work fell short of their expectations. A P J Abdul Kalam will visit the village to inaugurate Sanghol Educational Complex promoted by a NRI Daljit Singh Rana in collaboration with villagers.Rana has eastablished Shardanjli Charitable Trust in memory of his mother. Present village Sarpanch Bahadur Singh is excited over the Dr Kalam's visit. He is hopeful that the visionary President would definitely contribute for the development of the village. The residents of the ancient village, also known as Ucha Pind, or the 'high village', have set out to create a society that fuses rural values and customs with modern ways. Dr Kalam is scheduled to inaugurate Sanghol Educational Complex, established by the villagers in collaboration with the Shardhanjali Charitable Trust. ''Our endeavour is to make Sanghol a national model. We see the village's future as a fusion of modern techno-living with adherence to ancient Vedic values'', Singh said. ''A feeling prevails that development in Sanghol signals a significant change coming to the entire nation. Sanghol is but the beginning'', he said. The project, it may be recalled, had begun on November 17, 2001.Now the college is completed and has been functioning for the past one year. The President will formally inaugurate the Sanghol Educational Complex on August 17. http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/1235/38/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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