Maharaja Ranjit Singh's statue to be installed in France

A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be installed in France's Saint-Tropez town, the birth place of his Army General Jean-Francois Allard, in September this year. 

Henri Prevosat-Allard, Deputy Mayor and in-charge of tourism of Saint-Tropez on Wednesday met Punjab Tourism Minister Sohan Singh Thandal here and invited him to the ceremony, an official release said. Henri Prevosat-Allard is a descendant of General Jean-Fran ois Allard who trained Maharaja Ranjit Singh's troops, and has announced the step as a mark of respect towards the 19th century king, Thandal said.

The installation of the statue is a matter of great pride for Punjab, the minister said, adding that it will herald a new epoch of Punjab-France relations and will boost tourism. 

Allard will also invite Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to Saint-Tropez on September 17 when the statues of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, General Allard and his wife Bannou Pan Dei will be installed.

In September, the Indian embassy in France will hold also an exhibition on the life of the king.