Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tribute to great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai on his 150th birth anniversary (January 28, 2016). Born in 1865 in a village in Punjab province, Rai, was one of the tallest figures in the Indian Independence movement. Popularly known as the ‘Punjab Kesari’, he was part of the ‘Lal Bal Pal’ trio. He died in Lahore, a few weeks after sustaining serious injuries during a non-violent protest against the Simon Commission in 1928.

Founder of Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) institute Lala Lajpat Rai made a great contribution in the field of education. His famous quote: Milk for the infants; Food for the adults; Education for all. Rai along with Mahatma Hansraj and Gurudutt Vidyarthi was the founder of Dayanand Anglo Vedic (DAV) institute in 1886 under which several educational institutes are run across the country. DAV College and Dayanand Model School (DMS) are the oldest educational institutes in Jalandhar.

Rai came to Jalandhar on December 26, 1913 and laid a foundation stone of hostel of Saidass Anglo Sanskriti High School and named it ‘Brahmchari Ashram’.

Hundreds of students stayed in the ashram. Secretary of Lala Lajpat Rai trust Jalandhar Rajesh Pasricha said he would often visit Jalandhar to listen to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati.

Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism released a Commemorative Coin of Rs 150 and a Circulation Coin of Rs 10 on Late Lala Lajpat Rai.