Chamling inaugurates spiritual centre

Gangtok, Apr 16 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has inaugurated the Satyasai Sarva Dharma Kendra (SSDK) at Darmadin, about 100 km from Gangtok, yesterday.

''The SSDK has been constructed over half an acre of land at a cost of Rs five crore and is designed by renowned architect Kiran Rasaily,'' local MLA R B Subba, who is also the president of the Inaugural Celebration Committee, said.

Mr Subba said the money and land for the construction was donated by devotees.

Stressing on the need for promoting pilgrimage tourism, the Chief Minister said, '' Spiritualism not only helps the people to lead a better life but also to have an optimistic outlook,'' He said his government, which is in power for the past 12 years, had given equal importance to infrastructural development as well as spiritual upliftment.

He added that plans were being drafted to construct a big 'holy bell' whose sounds could be heard around a 50 km radius, as well as a sky bridge in south Sikkim soon.

The foundation stone of the Kendra had been laid by Mr Chamling in March 2003.

The inner walls and ceiling of the beautiful structure were adorned with fibre glass paintings, depicting various religions, done by artists from West Bengal, Rajasthan, Delhi and Nepal.

The SSDK aims at providing a common platform for devotees of various religions to offer prayers and promote integration, harmony and brotherhood, Mr Subba said.

Besides, it would also attract tourists from Nepal, Bhutan, entire NE and other parts of the country.

The Kendra would also serve as the headquarters of various social development works being undertaken by the Sai organisation in various parts of the state, he added.

UNI