Patna Sahib model for Bodhgaya

Gaya/Patna, Jan. 29: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today visited Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and announced that it will be developed on the lines of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.

Giving directions to officials present during his hour-long visit to the temple, Nitish asked them to landscape the southern side of the campus with the help of good quality grass and water fountains.

Nitish said the temporary police outpost towards the southern end will be converted into a permanent one. He also visited the meditation park to see 8,000 shlokas (hymns) inscribed on its walls by The Light of Buddha Dhamma Foundational International, an US-based organisation.

Earlier, during his visit to Suggi village in Gaya district's Amas block as part of his Nishchay Yatra, the chief minister pointed out that the liquor mafia was using children as vendors to peddle alcoholic drinks. The village is around 50km south of district headquarters and has been declared "open defecation-free".

Nitish was given a rousing welcome by women who performed his aarti for implementing prohibition in the state. He in turn asked them to be vigilant and check the use of children to compromise the ban on liquor.

"Bihar has lit the flame of prohibition and de-addiction and it is not going to be extinguished. It is bringing about a social revolution and people, who used to waste their hard-earned money, are now using it to fulfil the needs of their families. We have made strict laws to ban liquor in the state but it could not succeed on its own. Public awareness and alertness is needed for its success," Nitish said.

Nitish inaugurated a mini-piped water supply scheme fitted with a fluoride purifier machine at the village, which could supply drinking water to 126 houses there. He also administered polio drops to an infant. Nitish also conducted a review meeting of the districts of Magadh division at Gaya collectorate.