PC allots funds for Gandhian studies

MAN & MAHATMA: PC said Rs 30 crore will be set apart for four institutions "to continue the work of Gandhiji".

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New Delhi: If you thought the makers of Lage Raho Munnabhai are the only ones promoting Gandhigiri then you are wrong. After director Rajkumar Hirani it is Finance Minister P Chidambaram who has taken interest in the revival of the philosophy of the Mahatma.

Chidambaram stated while presenting the Union Budget 2007-08 that Rs 30 crore will be set apart for four institutions in different parts of the country "to continue the work of Gandhiji".

"As we celebrate the 150th year of the First War of Independence and the centenary year of the Satyagraha movement, our thoughts go to the institutions that continue the work of Gandhiji and other constructive work," Chidambaram said in his budget speech.

The four institutions that will benefit are Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, Sevagram Ashram, Wardha, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune and Rajendra Smriti Sanghrahalaya, Patna.

The government also proposes to provide Rs 20 crore to develop the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in Delhi as a major centre for intellectual activity.

Chidambaram said the Ministry of Culture proposes to engage scholars from Indian and foreign institutions to work on specific projects, for which an initial of Rs 5 crore will be made.

The terms of engagement will provide freedom and flexibility to the scholars.