Pak Hindus want Sir Ganga Ram to be part of books

AMRITSAR: Members of the Hindu community in Pakistan have urged the government to include the life history and achievements of noted philanthropist and civil engineer Sir Ganga Ram in their country's school education curriculum. "We have sent a proposal to Punjab government for the inclusion of introductory lessons for awareness about Sir Ganga Ram who is also known as the Father of Modern Lahore' in the education curriculum," Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, patron-in-chief, Pakistan Hindu Council and member of the national assembly, told TOI on Monday. He said the decision to put their demand before the government was taken during a function held on July 3 to observe the 88th death anniversary of Sir Ganga Ram at Karachi.He said Hindu populace of Pakistan had also suggested preservation of the samadhi (cenotaph) of Sir Ganga Ram situated on Ravi Road, Lahore as a national heritage. "This will be the most suitable step to acknowledge the great leader by the Pakistan government," he said.Vankwani regretted that Sir Ganga Ram's contribution to the society has been neglected. "No one really spares even some time to acknowledge his great contributions for the service of people, regardless of race, religion and caste," he said, adding that it was painful that even his samadhi' was being neglected and left on the mercy of hate mongers.Vankwani said following demolition of Babri Masjid in India in 1992, hundreds of people had attacked and damaged the samadhi' of Sir Ganga Ram which is now lying in a dilapidated state.