From correspondents in Punjab, India, 11:00 AM IST

The central government has given a grant of Rs.10 million for the translation of the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib into English and Hindi to commemorate the tercentenary of the 'Guru-ta-Gaddi'.

The translated versions would be distributed to public libraries and educational institutions to spread the message of the holy scripture, a Punjab government spokesman said here.

The 10th Sikh guru, Gobind Singh, had said in the early 18th century that after him the Sikh holy book would be the 'eternal guru' of the Sikhs.

'Guru-ta-Gaddi' is the installation of the holy book as the 'eternal guru' at Harmandar Sahib - the sanctum sanctorum at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The holy book was installed there 300 years back.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has urged the central government to issue a commemorative coin to mark the important occasion.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)