Sonia to lay foundation stone for research foundation

Chennai, Feb 13: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will lay the foundation stone for the Santhigiri Research Foundation (SRF), to be set up by the Santhigiri Ashram, in Thiruvananthapuram on February 15.

To come up on a 50,000 sq ft area at a cost of Rs six crore, the foundation will undertake social and industrial research, Ashram Secretary Swami Gurunischaya Jnana Tapaswi told reporters here yesterday. The aim is to undertake research to find out the root causes of various problems faced by the world like armed conflicts, epidemics, ailments, poverty, natural disasters, communalism and terrorism.

A social research institute, a scientific and industrial research institute and a research centre for traditional Indian Medical Systems like Ayurveda and Siddha would form part of the foundation.

Apart from Ms Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy would be present at the function.

UNI