http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=101056
FIRST MEMORIAL TO BE DEDICATED TO GURU TEG BAHADUR
Memorials to mark city entrances
Anubhuti Vishnoi
New Delhi, September 26: THE Delhi Urban Arts Commission has approved a
plan to develop memorials at entry points to the Capital.
The first memorial to get approval is on the historic Sher Shah Suri
Marg (NH 1) which is the entry point for traffic from Punjab.
It is being developed by the Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development
Corporation (DTTDC) and Delhi-based architects Aakar at a cost of Rs 6
to 7 crore.
Located at Singhu border, the memorial will be dedicated to Guru Teg
Bahadur, the ninth Guru, who was beheaded with his disciples at Sisganj
gurdwara and laid to rest at the Rakabganj gurdwara in the city.
‘‘The highlight of the memorial will be the 24-metre high central pylon
made of stainless steel and lit on top with laser lights. The central
pylon will bear semblance to the Nishan Sahib’- which is made in memory
of the guru at every gurdwara,’’ said Gurpreet Singh, the architect
working on the project with Priyanka Khanna from Aakar.
At the base of the pylon there will be 8 petals made of copper,
elliptical in form, signifying the selflessness of the Guru, the
architect said.
‘‘His three disciples who were tortured to death will be represented by
three stainless steel arches 16 metres in diameter and placed in a
semi-circular design. The ten monoliths around the pylon will represent
the ten sikh gurus and their teachings will be engraved on these,’’ he said
‘‘The memorial will be of a very secular nature. The sweeping green
curves, geometric green planes and imposing steel forms will create an
impressive gateway to the capital. Laser lighting will give it a
lighthouse like effect,’’ said architect Priyanka Khanna.
Other memorials on the cards: ‘‘The highway connecting Delhi to
Rajasthan may have something depicting Prithviraj Chauhan. There was a
design competition organised by DUAC in this regard and the best design
will be constructed,’’ said a senior DTTDC official.