Dhankar brings soil from Cairo memorial of WWI Haryana soldier

Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar today brought with him from Egypt soil from the memorial of Risaldar Badlu Singh, a native of Dhakla village in Jhajjar district, who laid down his life during World War I.
The samadhi of the fallen soldier, who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry to British and Commonwealth forces for his bravery and self-sacrifice, is situated at Heliopolis War Cemetery in the Egyptian capital.
Singh had died in the battlefield on September 23, 1918.
The minister took the soil to the soldier's village.
He said he had led an official delegation from Haryana to Egypt to participate in an international seminar on sustainable farming and water management in the times of climate change.

"During this tour, I got an opportunity to visit the war memorial of Indian soldiers who had sacrificed their lives during WW I," he added.
Later on, Dhankar also said the state government is making consistent efforts to ensure every Freedom Fighter and martyr from the state is recognised for his valour.
He was speaking after laying the Foundation stone for a memorial to be built in the memory of Singh at Jhajjar.