New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The government has constituted a National Implementation Committee (NIC) under the chairmanship of Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh to commemorate freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malaviya's 150th birth anniversary.

The celebrations will begin Dec 25 with year-long programmes of lectures, seminars and other commemorative events, the culture ministry said Tuesday.

Born on Dec 25, 1861, Malaviya presided over the Indian National Congress four times. He not only worked for the moral resurgence but also built up the scientific and technological foundation of India as early as 1916.

The committee members include Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Culture Minister Selja, Law and Justice and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Banaras Hindu University Vice Chancellor Lal Singh, P.L. Jaiswal of the Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya Mission, Justice (retd.) Giridhar Malaviya, Lok Sabha MP Satish Chandra Mishra and Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chairperson Rita Bahuguna Joshi.

The committee has been approved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.