CM requests Alfred Ford to set up manufacturing unit in Bengal

She met Ford at the ISKON temple here on Monday afternoon. "I have requested him (Alfred Ford) to plan a new manufacturing unit here in Bengal. They have one in Chennai. The state government will provide you with all possible help regarding the same. It will give jobs to several youth," she added. She said Ford has stated that he will "look into" the request.

As the owner of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford is credited with spearheading a global vision, with consumerism as the main highlight. His intense commitment saw several technical and business innovations in the automobile sector which resulted in Ford becoming a household name in major cities across the continents.

Ford was present at the temple to attend a function during which a "Sudarshan Chakra," weighing 2 tonnes was installed at the top of the temple on February 7. Ford came in contact with Prabhupad during his US visit in the 1970s and joined the movement to propagate the message of Lord Krishna that had swept the West in the 1970s and 1980s. "Chant Hare Krishna and be free" was the slogan that had enthralled the people of the West.

Banerjee performed the aarati of Lord Krishna at the main temple and distributed prasad to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police. Banerjee is also known to have attended the Rath Yatra festival organised by ISKON in Kolkata several times. However, this was her first visit to the Mayapur temple.

The monks of ISKON informed the Chief Minister that they have approached the authorities to declare Mayapur as a World Heritage site. She has assured every help to the authorities. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims from different parts of India and abroad, visit Mayapur.

Banerjee reached the main temple and went straight to the deities and performed the aarati. She was greeted by senior monks of the temple. Keeping the Chief Minister's visit in mind, security arrangements were beefed up in the areas surrounding the temple.