Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Sunday declared the Shri Krishan Balram Rath Yatra as state festival. The Chief Minister also announced Rs 2.51 crore for Ludhianas Iskcon Temple.
As a mark of respect towards Lord Krishna, Shri Krishan Balram Rath Yatra would be celebrated as a state festival every year by Punjab Government, said Channi, who was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, MLAs Surinder Dawar, Sanjay Talwar and Kuldeep Singh Vaid, and several others.
Recalling his regard for Bhagvad Gita, the Chief Minister shared that when he became a Municipal Councillor around 25 years back, a noble soul had advised him to recite one shloka from holy Bhagvad Gita for inner peace. The holy book gives a direction to life. Youth should imbibe the teachings of the Bhagvad Gita and practice it in their lives. If one could imbibe just one of the shaloks, it is enough to succeed in life, he added.
He also informed that the is developing Shri Bhagvad Gita and Ramayana Research Centre on 20-acres land in Patiala. The religious texts are the biggest source of inspiration which guide us towards the betterment of our lives. To further nurture our knowledge through the wisdoms in the epic texts of Ramayana, Mahabharat, and Bhagvad Gita, an exclusive research centre is being set up in Patiala, he said.