The Centre on Thursday sanctioned the release of Rs 175 crores towards the first phase of the development of the Inter Faith Centre at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in response to a proposal mooted by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.The project, proposed with a capital outlay of Rs. 439 crores, is part of the 550th Prakash Purb Celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.The Union Ministry of Human Resources Development on Thursday approved the release of Rs. 175 crores, of which Rs. 125 crores has been earmarked as non-recurring and Rs. 50 crore as recurring funds under phase-I. The remaining funds would be released after examining the progress of expenditure according to the detailed project report, according to an official spokesperson.The project had been conceived and conceptualised by the Guru Nanak Dev University and the Centre would be established within the campus. The proposed Centre would be run on the pattern of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. The Centre would have eight divisions - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Languages, Gurbani Sangeet, Comparative Religions, Conflict Resolution, Reconstruction of Ancient Musical Instruments, Study on Travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikh Archives, Theology and Symphony of Religious Music and Convention Centre.It may be recalled that GNDU Vice Chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh had earlier made a detailed presentation on the project to the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who agreed that the Centre would go a long way in disseminating the ideology of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Subsequently, the State Government vigorously pursued the matter with the Centre for early clearance of this prestigious project.The Guru Nanak Dev University was established in 1969 during the 500th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and is the only university in the country which bears the name of the founder of the Sikh religion. As a mark of reverence to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, on the historic occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb, the State Government had proposed to establish this nodal centre of Inter Faith of reference for the World Faiths to undertake teaching and research in various fields like Gurmat Sangeet, Comparative religion, Preservation of Archives etc.