|
MUMBAI:
Zee Networks paid homage to the martyrs who initiated the
freedom movement in 1857 against the British. The programme
was organised to mark the 150th year of the "First War
of Independence" with "Salute to the Soil."
 Essel
Group chairman Subhash Chandra said, "Soil from the birthplace
of the martyrs and warriors of the first war of Indian independence
will be brought together and consecrated with the waters of
India's holy rivers. This will be the prelude to the final
event that will be held at Bithur in Uttar Pradesh on 15,
16 and 17 February 2008."
Chandra
added, "'Salute to the Soil' has been organised to reiterate
the respect and gratitude that we hold towards our
great freedom fighters. It is a gesture to tell the world
that we value the current independence that the nation enjoys
and we would always be grateful to the selfless efforts put
in by these souls for achieving it."
Sanskaar
Bharati president Raj Duttji said, "On the occasion of
this momentous event, to respect the martyrs of our independence
struggle, we have brought the caravan of their memories to
this bastion of the Indian entertainment world."
Of
those felicitated at the event were freedom fighters Azimullah
Khan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mangal Pandey, Nana Saheb Peshwa,
Rangoji Bapu, Rani Laxmibai, Tatya Tope and Veer Kunwar Singh.
From
the film fraternity, Shammi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Subhash
Ghai, Raj Babbar, Shyam Benegal, Paresh Rawal, Pankaj Udhas,
Ravindra Jain, Aroona Irani, Rajshri Thakur, Nitish Bharduaj,
Anoop Jalota, Mukesh Khanna, Sachin Khedkar were there to
honour the memory of the great freedom fighters.
|
