Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has proposed an upgraded Sports Stadium, from central funding, in the name of Late Arun Jaitley, at Hiranagar in district Kathua.

This comes close on the heels of Dr Jitendra Singh’s recent proposal, approved by the Union Ministry of Road Highways and Transport, for naming the state-of -art Chenani-Nashri Tunnel after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

Jitendra Singh, who was known to be very close to Arun Jaitley and had, at the time of Jaitley's untimely death on 24th August, made the widely reported remark that "India had lost its best brain",first took up the issue of having "Arun Jaitley" Sports Stadium atHiranagar with the Union MoS (Independent Charge) Sports, Kiren Rijiju soonafter Jaitley's death.

As a follow up today, a written proposal was submitted inthe Ministry of Sports for upgrading the existing Sports Stadium in Hiranagarto national/international standards and naming it after Arun Jaitley. Theupgradation could, in addition to other ingredients,consist of laying of modernsynthetic athletic track, synthetic hockey/Football track, swimming pool, Gym,upgraded facility of toilets, galleries and change rooms as well as provisionfor the latest sports equipment. This may also involve up-gradation of seatingfacilities, provision of public toilets, floodlights for the stadium and properdrainage system.

In a written communique, Jitendra Singh referred to ArunJaitley’s deep attachment with Hiranagar and in fact, the entire Jammu &Kashmir. He said, incidentally Jaitley was also a son-in-law from here and overthe years, he had shown deep interest in day-to-day political as well as otherdevelopments in Jammu & Kashmir.

He also credited Jaitley for having provided valuableinputs, from time to time, which finally culminated in the successfulabrogation of Article 370 and recalled that Jaitley wrote his last Blog on theevening of 6th August, soon after the Lok Sabha had passed the resolution andBill seeking abrogation of Article 370 and reorganization of Jammu &Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jitendra Singh, who had accompanied Arun Jaitley during thelatter's last visit to Jammu about two years ago, recalled that a demand forSports Stadium was put up before Jaitley even at that time by the residents ofHiranagar. Jaitley, who was himself a great promoter of sports particularlycricket, had taken a serious note of this demand, and therefore, this would bea befitting, even though a humble tribute to his memory, he added.

Meanwhile today, Serbia Ambassador to India, Vladimir Mariccalled on Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed various areas in which Serbia, aprominent Central and Southeast Europe country, could actively engage itself inJammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, particularly after the abrogation of Article370 and reorganization as Union territories.

The Ambassador also discussed with the Minister issuesrelating to Serbia’s possible engagement in software technology, particularlyin Jammu & Kashmir and North East.