Mayapur, Feb. 12: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today urged Iskcon devotee Ambarish Das, also known as Alfred Ford, grandson of Henry Ford to consider setting up an automobile industry in Bengal as his company done it in Chennai and Sanand.
On her first ever visit to the international head quarter of Iskcon in Mayapur on Monday; chief minister requested this to Alfred Ford during an interaction when she visited the Vaishnab hub. She also requested him to invest for development of local infrastructure in Mayapur.
Alfred Ford is a board member of USA based Ford Motor Company, founded by his grandfather Henry Ford. He was initiated into Vaishnabism by Iskcon founder Srila Prabhu pada in 1974 in Hawaii.
“I have requested him (Ford) to invest for a manufacturing industry in our state. A manufacturing unit here could be very beneficial us. He has assured me to consider the proposal. Iskcon authorities sought our assistance for world circuit tourism in Mayapur”- Mamata Banerjee
Iskcon sources said that Ambarish Das assured the chief minister to consider the proposals and at the same time requested her to help the Iskcon to promote a Mayapur as a centre for Word Circuit Tourism Centre.
Speaking about her conversation with Alfred, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said: “I have requested him (Ford) to invest for a manufacturing industry in our state. He has such unit in Chennai. A manufacturing unit here could be very beneficial us. He has assured me to consider the proposal. On the other hand the Iskcon authorities sought our assistance for world circuit tourism in Mayapur”.
Ford entered Indian market in 2009 by setting up its manufacturing unit in Chennai. In 2015 it further expanded its business by setting up another unit in Sanand of Gujrat.
Speaking in the issue Iskcon spokes person Aloy Govinda Das said: “We have a discussion with the chief minister on the circuit tourism proposal. She assured help on behalf of the state government”.