Astrology institute planned

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 1.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to establish an astrology institute here in the name of Prithvi Raj Chauhan to impart undergraduate and post-graduate level courses at the university level.

It has also decided to approach the Union Government with a request that the ashes of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, now lying in Afghanistan, be brought back. ``After building a memorial in the honour of Prithvi Raj, the ashes should be kept there,'' the MCD said in a resolution.

A private member's resolution in this regard was moved by the BJP Councillor, Mr. Vijender Kumar Gupta, and was unanimously passed by the MCD House. Now a high-level committee of the civic body headed by the Mayor, Mr. Shanti Desai, and including the Municipal Commissioner, Mr. S.P.Aggarwal, would initiate efforts in this regard.

As per the MCD resolution the proposed Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chauhan Planet and Astrology Institute would be set up at the intersection of the Wazirabad bridge on Outer Ring Road in North- West Delhi where there was once a bitumen plant of the civic body. Officials have been asked to take the service of eminent scholars and also the concurrence of the Union Government.

As per the resolution, funds for the proposed institute can be made available through voluntary contribution of Councillors from their area development fund. The funds can also be raised from the public after it receives recognition from the University Grants Commission.

Such an institute in the Capital would provide ``new scope for all round progress of youth'' and also help in ``removing the superstition on this subject,'' the resolution said.

The resolution of Mr. Gupta, rued that even after 50 years of Independence there was no memorial for Prithvi Raj Chauhan -- who went on to become the ruler of Delhi and Ajmer -- which could remind people the memory of his heroism and valour against aggressors.

It said that while the country had all the necessary facilities and expertise in astrology, there was not much educational scope. Pointing towards the recent endeavour made by the Union Government, the resolution said that it was time that the MCD should start at least one such in the Capital.

However, given the past record of the civic body, it will take several years before the resolution is really implemented. Whenever that happens, this will be the second such memorial in honour of the great warrior ruler. The first one, a conservation centre along with his life-size statue, is fast coming up at the ruins of Qila Rai Pithora in Lado Sarai area of South Delhi.

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