Badal was addressing a religious congregation organised on the occasion of Bhumi Pujan of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple at Birmi village, near here today. Badal also laid the foundation stone of Glory of Punjab Vedic Sanskrit Centre, which was being set up along with the temple in an area of four acres.

Appreciating the ISKCON mission to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to the society at large and to educate all 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, Badal said that the construction of such temples and cultural centres would further inspire the people to adopt healthy practices of service to the humanity and mutual brotherhood among the different communities.

He said that his government had also prepared a special programme to develop the state as an attractive centre for tourism, with a view to promote rich Punjabi culture and heritage in the whole world. He announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the construction of library in the Vedic Sanskrit Centre of ISKCON.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons, Badal said has that the Union Ralways Minister on his proposal had agreed to undertake a number of projects in the state soon. He added that a Ludhiana railway station would be upgraded to international standards and work on a number of ROB on Mour to Rama Rail stretch, where the state had completed the work entrusted to it, will be started by the Railway.