Rupnagar, Oct 19: Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu declared a financial contribution of Rs 10 lakh from his MPLADS quota to accelerate ongoing conservation efforts and enhance basic amenities for visitors at the historic Rupnagar site.
The announcement coincides with preparations marking the upcoming 195th anniversary of the monumental 1831 meeting between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Lord William Bentinck. Sandhu affirmed that he would actively take up the matter of establishing a full-fledged diplomatic heritage memorial with the Union government to ensure the location receives appropriate national recognition.
The parliamentarian made these assurances while visiting Virasati Chauki Sarkar e Khalsa along the banks of the Sutlej River.
Drawing attention to the historical significance, Sandhu maintained that the location stands as a testament to India’s rich diplomatic past and statecraft. He noted that while local social organizations have been working tirelessly toward preserving the grounds, financial limitations have hindered progress. The newly announced funds aim to address immediate infrastructural requirements and improve the experience for visiting history enthusiasts and families.
According to the vision outlined during the visit, the proposed Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ropar Diplomatic Heritage Memorial is planned to feature a comprehensive museum, digital archive presentations, and historical document galleries explaining the nuances of the 1831 summit.
Sandhu asserted that protecting such monuments aligns seamlessly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of balancing development with cultural heritage preservation. During his tour, the MP interacted with representatives from several local management and social committees, later paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Tibbi Sahib to pray for the peace and prosperity of Punjab.
