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Fernandes sanctions 'military academy' at Anandpur Sahib

Onkar Singh in Anandpur Sahib

Union Defence Minister George Fernandes said the defence ministry has sanctioned a 'military academy' at Anandpur Sahib, as promised by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on April 8.

Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had urged Vajpayee to set up the military academy here on the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa Panth by the tenth guru of the Sikhs, Gobind Singh.

Fernandes made the announcement at press conference soon after he had dedicated to the nation the 'Dashmesh Academy of Martial Sports' in the city. The project is worth Rs 140 million.

"We've asked the concerned officer to identify the land required for this ambitious project. Junior commissioned officers from the three services will be imparted training in this proposed academy," he said.

Talking about the long-standing demand for one rank, one pension, Fernandes said it will be met shortly and would benefit a large number of defence pensioners, he said.

Badal said the academy will become functional in June and would revive the sports in the day of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

"We have completed the work in a record four months. This is our tribute to the Guru Sahib who created the 'order of Khalsa' on this land 300 years ago. This centre of excellence is a befitting tribute to the great Guru who infused the martial spirit in the Panj Piaras [five beloved ones] to fight against tyranny, injustice and oppression," Badal said.

He expressed his gratitude to the Vajpayee government, which had funded the entire project and thereby ensuring its completion in record time.

The proposed martial sports academy will have an air-conditioned hall measuring 70,000 square feet for indoor sports, conforming to international standards. Besides the classrooms and the administrative zone, the academy will have seating facilities for 1,400 spectators in the equestrian arena. In the archery arena and the pistol shooting range the seating capacity will be around 8-10,000 people.

In addition to outdoor sports, the complex will have facilities for indoor games like boxing, wrestling, fencing, judo, karate and yoga.

Fernandes lauded Badal's role in setting up the academy and offered all assistance to ensure that it ran well. Fernandes regretted that the previous government had not paid proper attention to developing the border areas of the state, leading to poverty, economic backwardness and unemployment.

"The role played by the Punjabis during the freedom movement and protecting the boundaries of the nation in the post independence era needs to be appreciated. We will take steps to ensure that due representation is given to the youth of Punjab in the defence services.

"The Vajpayee government has taken steps to develop the border areas by setting up more industries and strengthening the road network," he said.

Before leaving for New Delhi George Fernandes accompanied by B Prakash Singh Badal and other dignitaries visited Takhat Kesgarh Sahib to pay obeisance to the great Guru Gobind Singh.

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