Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Sonia to lay stone for Santhigiri foundation

The proposed Santhigiri Research Foundation complex.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will lay the foundation stone for the Santhigiri Research Foundation on the ashram premises at Pothencode, near here, on Friday morning.

Ashram director Guru Rethnam Jnana Thapaswi told reporters here on Monday that the foundation aimed to give a spiritual base to all research activities and create a new world order as desired by Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru. The foundation will function under the tutelage of Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini. It will integrate the functions of the Santhigiri Social Research Institute and the Santhigiri Scientific and Industrial Research Institute. All future research activities of the ashram will be taken up by the foundation.

He said the Centre had given permission to the ashram to conduct spiritual, social and scientific research. Research with a spiritual base is a unique attempt. The ultimate aim of the foundation is to create a spiritual order beyond religion.

While addressing the basic reasons for mental tension, social conflicts, terrorism, poverty, natural disasters and environmental degradation, among other issues, the social research will also evolve solutions and a philosophy to face the emerging challenges in the modern world.

The foundation will function in coordination with spiritual movements, research institutions, universities and other social organisations active all over the world to conduct seminars, studies and discussions. Collection and preservation of manuscripts will also be taken up.

The proposed complex spanning 50,000 sq ft. will be constructed at a cost of Rs.6 crore.

It will comprise a library, international convention centre, video-conferencing and hostel facility for research scholars.

The ashram has also decided to set up a 300-bed allopathy hospital in the capital. Free treatment will be provided to the poor at the hospital to be named as Santhigiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Guru Rethnam said.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony will preside over the stone-laying function.

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