JP memorial, IIM to come up in Bihar .

Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, the Centre announced the setting up of a National Memorial to honour Bharat Ratna Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan’s birthplace and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in the State. These were among the many decisions taken by the Union Cabinet recently.

'Considering the contribution of such a great person (JP), one should not evaluate this decision from a political gain or loss point of view,' Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in response to query whether the decision had been taken keeping the Bihar polls in mind. The political significance of this decision can be judged by the fact that the government decided to field the Home Minister to brief the media about the Cabinet decisions. Under the proposal, a National Memorial will be set up at Lala Ka Tola, Sitab, Diara, district Chhapra (Saran) in Bihar, the birthplace of JP, which will also house a virtual museum and an institute to undertake study and research on democracy, enhancing the role of panchayats in nation-building and Gandhian thought. It will also have a centre for khadi and constructive work along with Khadi Gaurav Samvardhan Kendra for making national flags by women clusters.

Singh said a detailed project report is being prepared and the State Government will be requested to allocate land for the proposed complex, adding that there will be no problem of funding.

Interestingly, the proposal was approved a day before the 40th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency.


HBL