Advani in Govt panel on 1857 commemoration: PM

The Government is setting up a broad-based National Committee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence.

The Government is setting up a broad-based National Committee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the First War of Independence, which would include among others Leader of Opposition LK Advani.

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This was conveyed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Advani in response to the senior BJP leader's letter urging him to ensure that the Government commemorate the sesquicentennial of the 1857 event.

In his letter, Singh said the Department of Culture was in the process of setting up a broad-based National Committee to commemorate the First War of Independence as well as other milestones in the country's journey to independence.

"As Leader of Opposition, you would be an honoured Member of the National Committee and as soon as the said Committee is constituted, we will be happy to discuss and consider the useful suggestions you have made in this regard", the Prime Minister said.

He said it was fully the Government's intention to ensure that the significant milestone in the country's struggle for independence is commemorated "with the attention and profile it merits".

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Advani had suggested among other things commemoration of the 1857 anniversary as a tri-nation event involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.