Badal urges people to follow philisophy of great saints

Ludhiana, June 1 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged people to follow the philosophy propounded by great saints and gurus of serving the suffering humanity and strengthening the bonds of love and brotherhood.

He was addressing a religious congregation organized on the occasion of 'Bhumi Pujjan' of ISKCON (International society for Krishna Consciousness) temple at Birmi village in this district.

Mr Badal laid the foundation stone of Glory of Punjab Vedic Sanskrit Center which was being set up along with the temple in an area of 4 acres.

"Our rich ancient culture and heritage was a great source of inspiration for us to serve the society in a better way and it is our foremost duty to preserve and further enrich it", he added.

He said that our Gurus and Saints of all religions had not only preached the principles of peace and amity among the society but also fully practiced philosophy in their day to day lives.

Mr Badal highly appreciated the ISKCON mission to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge and educate people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

He said that construction of such temples and cultural centers would further inspire the people to adopt healthy practices of service to the humanity and mutual brotherhood among different communities.

The Chief Minister lauded the principle of 'Food for Life' adopted by the mission by setting up an institution named ISKCON Food Relief Foundation, which has resolved to liberate the underprivileged by feeding the poor with nutritious food. He said that providing food to the poor and hungry people was the noblest service of God.

He announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the construction of Liabrary in the Vedic Sanskrit Center of ISKCON.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal also addressed the function.

UNI VKJ JS1703