Indians should be proud of their heritage: PM Sri Sri event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the art of founder Sri Sri Ravishankar be during the first day of the three-day long World Culture Festival on the banks of Yamuna River in New Delhi on Friday.

The controversial event floodplains of the Yamuna opened today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi heaping praise on Guruji saying he had "introduced" India for the world, but made no reference to the row raging over environmental concerns surrounding .

The three-day cultural event attended by thousands of people and delegates from several countries saw the prime minister as saying the Indians to be proud of their cultural heritage.

"India has a rich cultural heritage and that everyone is looking for. We can meet those needs ... But it can only happen if we take pride in our heritage. If we keep curse, then why the world will be seen us, "he said while praising the efforts of Ravi Shankar in this regard.

Modi spent three hours at the event, but no reference is made in his brief speech to the controversy provoked by environmentalists accuse Art Ravi Shankar of Life Foundation to destroy the riverbed by building massive structures as expected hundreds of thousands of people to participate.

With controversies dogging the event, President Pranab Mukherjee, withdrew from the valedictory session on Sunday. Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, Prime Minister of Nepal, Kamal Thapa, Minister of Culture Al Nahyan UAE were among the foreign dignitaries who were present at the occasion.

However, several others, including the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, President of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan Maithripala Sirisena CEO Abdullah Abdullah kept away.

Uncertainty had clouded the event with the National Green Tribunal raise difficult questions to various government agencies on how it was allowing the event, but later pleaded helplessness to enforce the ban it.

However, a fine of Rs 5 crore imposed on AOL, but Ravi Shankar was defiant saying he would go to jail rather than pay the fine. Today, attorney AOL changed tactics in the NGT saying it was an NGO and is unable to pay the amount in a short time following, the TPN asked to pay Rs 25 lakh today and the rest in the next time three weeks.

In his speech, Ravi Shankar took a dig at his critics to describe the Cultural Festival of Humanity as his "private party", saying "obstacles" come when something big is made. He made no reference to the problems of AOL Facing the TPN.

Ravi Shankar also told his detractors that was in our DNA to "care and love" nature and protect the environment. The rains threatened to play spoilsport but the event went ahead as planned in the middle of colorful cultural performances from artists around the world and addresses of foreign dignitaries.

Terming the incident as "the Kumbh art fair," Modi rains even "testing" the organizers said. "But this is art of living. The art of living is not living in the midst of amenities and easy conditions. As we move forward with our ideas, it is the art of living.

"When we live our dreams, is the art of living. When we approach challenges, is the art of living and when we live for others rather than ourselves, is the art of life," he said. It was the focus of short speech of Modi promotion of indigenous culture and heritage to an audience that included participants from UAE, Argentina, Pakistan, Nepal and other countries.

"Not that the world economic interests alone is connected, it can also be connected through human values. It can be done, you should be done.

"India has a rich cultural heritage and that everyone is looking for. We can meet those needs ... But it can only happen if we take pride in our heritage. If we keep curse, then why the world will be seen us, "he said while praising the efforts of Ravi Shankar in this regard.

Emphasizing the importance of "soft power" of "cultural heritage of India, Modi recalled that Art Foundation has also organized an event during his visit to Mongolia, where residents of that country welcomed with flags India.

"When the authority and power of the state does not arrive, soft power has an important role to play in those places ... where the power of art, then the inner strength of this nation that seeks out" he said.

In the event, which saw artists from a number of countries conducting, Modi praised the traditional music of India as one that draws the soul unlike others, whose impact is limited to the body.

Seen as one of its kind event, the festival provides a platform for spiritual and religious leaders, politicians, businessmen, artists peacemakers and to spread the message of world peace and harmony in diversity.

The art of living had organized a similar festival for peace in 2011 to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the historic Berlin Olympic Stadium, organizers said. In an apparent reference to the legal battle with NGT, Sri Lanka said, "There are many obstacles that come when we want to do something big. But only indicates that we have taken very significant.

"Obstacles do not come when you do something wrong. The obstacles come when something great to do. But all those obstacles were finally removed and the end result is very sweet."

The Art of Living founder told his followers to face with confidence, always some difficulties come before them.