The Union Urban Development Ministry has decided to develop the locations where former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral and former President, R. Venkataraman were cremated as ‘samadhis’. These will later be integrated with the “Rashtriya Smriti”, which is being developed as a common memorial for departed national leaders.
The move comes in the wake of protest by Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral over the government’s decision to not develop the site where his father I.K. Gujral was cremated as a ‘samadhi’.
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On the occasion of Gujral’s first death anniversary in November recently, Mr. Gujral had taken up the issue of not providing a separate ‘samadhi’ for his father with the Prime Minister’s Office. The Bharatiya Janata Party had also supported his demand.
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The Ministry on Saturday said the construction of the “Rashtriya Smriti” on the banks of River Yamuna is likely to be completed by October 2014. “The “Rashtriya Smriti” is to be the permanent place for holding last rites of departed national leaders like Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers and such other leaders as approved by the Government,” the Ministry said.
The “Rashtriya Smriti” will be landscaped with bold and simple geometry of nine squares of monumental dimensions and it will have a central court surrounded by stepped green area to accommodate large public attendance. The plaques of departed leaders will be placed in their memory.
In August 2000 it was decided by the government that no new ‘samadhis’ will be built in the city on account of shortage of land. “In January this year, it was decided to construct the “Rashtriya Smriti” on the banks of River Yamuna. The construction is being carried out by the Central Public Works Department,” the Ministry said.