Lala Lajpat Rai Birthplace Memorial Committee

VPO, Dhudike, Teh.Moga-1402053

Ph. 01636-269022/269159

1.  to celebrate the Birthday of Lala Lajpat Rai every year;

2.  to raise a suitable memorial at the Birthplace; and

3.  to work for the development of the Village Dhudike.

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Memorial on 28 January 1965 on the 100th Birthday of Lalaji.

The affairs of Dhudike Centre are managed by the Local Advisory Committee. The following activities were undertaken during the period under review:

School, Library and Reading Room:

Lajpat Rai Public School, Dhudike is run by the Memorial Committee. Smt. Joginder Kaur, M.A. B.ed. is the Principal of the School and all the trained staff are giving their full efforts and the result of the school is very encouraging. The campus of the school is very charming. The Committee has arranged all facilities including toilets, ceiling fans and grassy ground for the children. Regularly medical checkup of the children is carried out. The result of school children is above the board average and better than the nearby Government schools. Presently, approximately 256 students are studying in the school. A well equipped Library and Reading Room is available where newspapers and periodicals in English, Punjabi and Hindi are kept for the general people.

Servants of the People Society, Chandigarh

Lajpat Bhawan, Sector-15-B

Chandigarh-160015

Ph. 0172-2780611

The Headquarters of the Servants of the People Society, before partition of the country, was at Lajpat Rai Bhawan (now in Pakistan) Lahore, the residence of Lala Lajpat Rai, who had donated his bungalow to the Society. It was a hub of revolutionaries where leaders of all communities would frequently meet and discuss future course of action for freedom of the country. After partition in 1947, the credit of conceiving and initiating the idea of shifting the Society at Chandigarh goes to late Lala Achint Ram who was closely connected with the activities of the Society even before the partition ofthe country.

In 1960 the Society decided to contruct Lajpat Rai Bhawan at Chandigarh on one acre plot of land received from the Punjab Government. Later, another 2.5 kanals of land was added to it, which was transformed into a children park. The Bhawan is situated on Madhya Marg in Sector 15-B, Chandigarh. Its foundation was laid on 15th December, 1962 by then President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. At present it is being managed by Shri Onkar Chand, Life Member of the Society.

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTER

Martyrdom Day Celebrations of Lala Lajpat Rai:

As a gratitude to the sacrifices made by Lala Lajpat Rai for the freedom of the country, Chandigarh Branch has made it obligatory to celebrate the Martyrdom Day of Lalaji every year regularly by holding a fortnight long programme from 17-30 November. During this fortnight the Branch organizes different activities concerning youth and the senior citizens of Chandigarh. On 17 November an exhibition is organised on Lalaji's memorabilia where some of his personal belongings, books on his life and works, rare documents, manuscripts collected by Dwarka Dass Library are exhibited. Seminars and lectures are also organized.

In addition to these, an 'On the Spot Paintings' and slogan writings by school children, Gurbani recitation, annual anthem recitation, patriotic song singing, multilingual mushiara in the memory of Lalaji is also held. Health camps in colonies and villages are also organised. The final function of the fortnight is held on the 30th November in the memory of Lala Achint Ram, the founder of Chandigarh Branch. This day is observed as social workers' day. On this day Havan and Prarthana Sabha and lectures by prominent social workers of India are held.

Antodya Project

Under this project people are initiated into a new life of health and happiness. Shri Gian Chand Sharda, a retired Central Government officer, donated Rs.45 lac as a gift to the Branch. It has indeed been a great contribution to the project.

Senior Citizens Centre:

This centre was established in 1991 and is perhaps the oldest such centre functioning in Chandigarh. It has over 1400 life members above the age of 60.

Birthday Celebrations:

Birthday of each member of the centre is regularly celebrated with great enthusiasm on the last Monday of each month. Talented members entertain by singing songs, reciting poems, jokes and anecdotes etc. In addition, experts in the field of medical science, spiritual science, income tax, banking field are invited to enlighten the members and give tips as to how the seniors can keep themselves physically and mentally fit. The centre has taken up a new initiative to visit the senior citizens at their homes who are not attending the functions due to failing health or being bed ridden.

Elders Day Celebration

The Elder’s Day is celebrated world over on 1st October every year.

Dispensaries

Chandigarh Branch is running two dispensaries (1) in the premises of Lajpat Rai Bhawan and (2) at village Behlopur. The dispensary at Lajpat Rai Bhawan functions as policlinic on every Wednesday where a team of experienced and dedicated doctors provide free consultation and treatment in Allopathic, Homoeopathy, Ophthalmology, Physiotherapy and acupressure, not only to members but also to patients from general public and those referred to by others charitable organizations. A well equipped clinical laboratory is operative in the complex to carry out various types of lab tests, & ECG etc of the members and the poor on every Wednesday. The homeopathic dispensary functions at Lajpat Rai Bhawan 5 days a week.