Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday launched the construction work of Prakash Kendra and garden in memory of Guru Govind Singh in Patna at an estimated cost of Rs 54.16 crore.
"I thank Building Construction and Tourism Departments for starting the construction work for multi-purpose Prakash Kendra and garden near (Guru Ka Bagh). The name of multi purpose Prakash Kendra should be 'Prakash Punj' because of this being the land of knowledge...The target has been fixed to complete its construction work within 18 months at an estimated cost of Rs 54.16 crore," Kumar said while addressing a function on the occasion.
Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, is considered one of the holiest places by Sikhs around the world, besides being a major tourism attraction for people from all communities.
Though Kumar expressed his desire to get the work completed within 14 months so that the construction work is completed before the Prakash Parv in 2020, it said.
"The Prakash Kendra will have four gates in the name of Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Fateh Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh and Baba Jorawar Singh. Besides, there will be five 'takhts' here at the Centre- namely Takht Sri Pauta Saheb, Takht Sri Nanded Saheb, Takht Sri Keshgarh Saheb, Takht Sri Hemkund Saheb and Takht Sri Patna Saheb," an official release quoting Kumar said.
The entire structure will be open from all the four sides, the CM said adding that the centre will be developed in a way that a person visiting the place will be enriched by getting important information about Sikh religion and Guru Govind Singh.
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The state government had organised the inaugural programme of the Prakash Parv on a grand scale on January 5, 2017 to mark the 350th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru, who was born in Patna, Kumar said adding that information about building multi-purpose centre was given in the function.
The inaugural function was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prominen among those who were present on the occasion included Bihar's former Chief Secretary and Bihar State Planning Board vice chairman G S Kang, CM's Advisor Anjani Kumar Singh, State's Chief Secretary Dipak Kumar, Tourism and Art and Culture Department's Principal Secretary Ravi Parmar and other senior officials of Building Construction and Tourism Departments and district administration.