Tourist footfall declines at War Heroes Memorial post Pahalgam

With tourist footfall in the holy city declining in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack that led to the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, the flow of tourists to the Punjab War Heroes Memorial and Museum located in Chheharta area has also been affected.

Twenty-five innocent lives were snuffed out apart from that of a civilian in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. Following the incident, the Indian government completely shut down the Integrated Check Post (ICP) for trade with Pakistan at Attari while scaling down the ceremonial display during the famous flag-lowering ceremony (Beating the Retreat) at Attari-Wagah joint check-post. The Border Security Force (BSF) suspended the symbolic handshake of Indian Guard Commander with his counterpart Pak Guard Commander while gates also remain shut during the ceremony.

The tourists coming to the joint check-post for witnessing the ceremony make for a major chunk of visitors from outside at the War Memorial also.

However, the authorities at the War Memorial said that there has been a normal footfall of locals and schoolchildren, though a little decline was witnessed in the flow of tourists coming from outside the city.

“We hope that the footfall will improve in the coming days,” said Lt Col (retd) Gurinderjit Singh Gill, General Manager, Punjab War Heroes Memorial and Museum, while adding that on an average, around 250-300 visitors visit the memorial daily.

The eight gallery-cum-museum, constructed over seven acres of land, offers a rare experience in the glorious contribution of Punjab’s war heroes to the visitors coming from across the country.

The museum starts with an introduction to the great civilisation of Punjab and its brave warriors while it also depicts the battle of Alexander and Porus, which was fought in 326 BC between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers. It also incorporates a brief introduction of the Sikh Gurus along with their life and principles.

The vital turning point was brought into Sikh history by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, with the introduction of “martialisation” of Sikhs. The battles of Guru Gobind Singh, his four sons, Mai Bhago, the warrior woman, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur besides the history of Sikh misls and their rule have also been painstakingly displayed.

The rise of the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh attracts a keen interest from the visitors. The contribution of Punjabis during the two world wars and all the wars that India has fought after gaining Independence, also find space in the museum.

Punjab