Chandigarh July, 30- For Mr. Atma Ram, the oldest surviving descendant of the freedom fighters residing in Rohnat village of Bhiwani district in Haryana, this year’s 74th Independence Day Celebrations on August 15, 2020 would be a memory to cherish for a lifetime, as he will proudly unfurl the tricolor in his village in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Bhiwani which had played a pivotal role in Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal made this announcement while presiding over the first meeting of Governing Trustees of the Rohnat Freedom Trust held here today through video conferencing. In the meeting the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Ajay Kumar, on behalf of Chief Minister also presented a shawl to Mr. Atma Ram. Besides this, the Chief Minister also approved to appoint Mr. Atma Ram as the new Governing Trustee, replacing Late. Mrs. Bedo Devi.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister also approved various developmental works worth around One Crore rupees to be carried out in Rohnat village which include setting up of a library in the war memorial established in the village, beautification of Dhab Johar, banyan tree and well, solar project for village school and street lights and to ensure road connectivity from village Rohnat to Bohal.

The Deputy Commissioner shared that a total of 12 announcements have been made by the Chief Minister for the development of Rohnat village, out of which work on eight projects has been completed and work on the remaining four announcements is in progress. An amount of about Rs 296 lakh has so far been spent on these development works. In addition, 10 other development works have been carried out under Haryana Rural Development Fund, on which an amount of about Rs 136.77 lakh has been spent, he shared.

Admiring the significant contribution made by the brave sons of Rohnat village in the First Freedom Struggle, Mr. Manohar Lal said that Rohnat village is an inspiration for all of us. He said that on September 21, 2018, Rohnat Freedom Trust was established so that proper development of the village could be ensured.

The Chief Minister said, “While understanding the pain of the villagers who despite Independence always felt isolated from the mainstream, I had hoisted the National Flag for the first time in village Rohnat and announced to set up Rohnat Freedom Trust on the occasion of Shahidi Diwas on March 23, 2018.”

He said that in future also the State Government would continue to carry out several developmental works to lift the spirit of the villagers.

He directed the officers concerned to screen inspiration film based on the history of the village Rohnat in the village as well as in neighbouring villages and blocks. The chapter titled ‘Rohnat village contribution to the Revolution of 1857’, which has been included in the Class VIII history book, should also be recited widely by children in Gramsabhas”, he said.

He further directed that the officers should also ensure that facility of free treatment to persons above 60 years of age in the village should be provided from the amount of Rs. 1 crore being allocated to the Trust.

On this occasion, Mrs. Renu Sarpanch village thanked the Chief Minister for constituting Rohnat Freedom Trust and allocating money to carry out various developmental works in the village.

The Chief Minister assured the Sarpanch that in future also State Government would take all possible measures to ensure that developmental works for education, employment, skill training, construction of buildings, health facilities, youth development and welfare of women and the elderly in the village are carried out meticulously.

In the meeting, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Rajesh Khullar and Principal Secretary Social Justices and Empowerment Department, Mr. Anand Mohan Sharan were also present.