Global movement to develop Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple """

Singapore-based Global Citizen Forum (GCF), headed by billionaire thought-leader Bhupendra Kumar Modi, will launch a world wide movement to promote the famed Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple here as an international pilgrimage centre.

Addressing a press meet here, Modi, known as 'Dr M' among his followers, said the objective of the global movement was to restore 'sanatana dharma' to its original glory as the guiding force of the world with the Padmanabha Swamy Temple as its nerve centre.

As part of the initiative, a development committee would soon be set up with the consent of the Travancore royal family here, for the overall development of the shrine, he said.

The Tranvacore royals were the former custodian of the shrine, which is now being managed by an administrative committee appointed by the Supreme Court.

Modi said the security of the temple, which has priceless treasures in its secret vaults, should be enhanced with state-of-the-art facilities.

The centuries-old temple still reflects the splendour of the past and showcases the priceless heritage of 'sanatana dharma' before the present generation, he said.

"We will form a committee with the consent of the royal family for overall development of the temple. As the matters related to the shrine is now before the Supreme Court, somebody has to present a development plan before the apex court," he said.

The committee would work to develop the shrine as a global destination of pilgrimage and" spiritual tourism with advaita philosophy as core theme, he said.

The movement also has plans to set up an Advaita centre near the Padmanabha Temple, Modi said, adding that besides the royal family, talks would be held with all others related to the shrine, including devotees.

In connection with the launching of the movement, a two-day workshop was held here on April 21 and 22.

Royal family members, Princess Gouri Lakshmi Bhai and Gouri Parvathi Bhai had taken part in the discussion, titled 'History and Mystery of the Temple' as part of the workshop.

Modi said he had earlier called on Swami Bharati Tirtha, head of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka, and sought blessings for the movement.

A Singapore citizen at present, Bhupendra Kumar Modi was recently awarded the Singapore Indian Entrepreneur Award (SIEA) by Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a release said.

As an industrialist, he had introduced several new technologies in India in areas like office automation, telecom, health care, electric vehicles and so on, it added.