Chandigarh, December 9, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has called for pulling out all the stops to restore and conserve the historic Diwan Todar Mal Haveli in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. Presiding over a high-level meeting at the Punjab Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Speaker Sandhwan emphasized the need for a united front to breathe new life into this treasured historical landmark.
Reflecting on its profound historical significance, S. Sandhwan paid tribute to Diwan Todar Mal’s unparalleled bravery, recalling his defiance of Mughal imperial decrees to ensure the dignified final rites of the two younger Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji—Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
He underscored that preserving this monument is not just about bricks and mortar but about handing down a legacy to future generations, instilling in them pride in their rich cultural heritage.
The Speaker applauded the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation for leaving no stone unturned in its mission. He noted that the restoration would be a joint effort, with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Punjab Tourism and Archaeology Department lending a hand. He stressed that many hands make light work, and safeguarding this landmark would require collective determination.
S. Lakhvinder Singh Kahne Ke, President of the Heritage Foundation, expressed confidence that with strategic collaboration and the green light from the SGPC and Punjab Government, the haveli would soon regain its former glory. He assured that the restoration would honor its original architectural brilliance, preserving a vital chapter of Sikh and Punjabi cultural heritage.
The meeting also featured expert engineers who laid all their cards on the table, presenting a meticulous restoration plan. They engaged in in-depth technical discussions with representatives from the SGPC and Tourism and Archaeology Department, addressing the monument’s historical and architectural nuances from every angle.
Notable attendees included Tourism and Archaeology Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Tourism and Archaeology Department Director Mrs. Amrit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Dr. Sona Thind, Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, Maharani Priti Singh of Nabha State, SGPC representatives, and Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Manager S. Gurdeep Singh Kang, along with members of the SGPC, Punjab Tourism and Archaeology Department, and the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation Punjab.