Unavoidable reasons! Pranab Mukerjee, President unable to attend cultural event by Sri Sri
This news may not be very well accepted by the followers of “Art Of Living” but we have confirmed news that Pranab Mukherjee , the President of India will not be attending the “World Cultural event” organized under the benefaction of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Pranab Mukerjee, the President of the country will not be a part of the 3 day cultural festival planned by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the Yamuna Plains. The fest will be starting on Friday, and this culturally rich event is being planned by the Art of Living. An official statement issued from the Rastrapati Bhavan did not give any specific reason for the President’s absence but has confirmed that “The President cannot attend the function due to unavoidable circumstances.”
The Art of Living devotees must have been taken with surprise at this announcement as the President had earlier given his consent for the valedictory ceremony that is to be held on Sunday. The Art of Living people are speculating a gathering of lacs of people at the function and the speculation states that there may be immense amount of damage caused to the environment.
Experts’ fear that the Yamuna flowing in the East Delhi, is already a much polluted river and the festival that will be on the flood plains of the river may end up damaging the surroundings further.
The Art of Living foundation blooming under the patronage of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar aims at raising the traditional platform further and is targeted to have cultural events organized by people from world over. They are going to hold peace prayers by scholars and yoga and meditation sessions along with other events and this decision was not taken well by the National Green Tribunal.
This organization focuses on environmental issues, has received a petition saying that the organizers plan on cleaning the river by releasing ‘enzymes’ into nearly 17 drains that are directly connected to the river Yamuna. The petition statement states “This proposed activity would be in blatant violation of the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, since it is, basically, introducing foreign elements into the river, without any scientific study or information.”
All we can do is speculate till the decision is released on this issue. The Art of Living foundation is celebrating its 35 years on the west Bank of the Yamuna and for this they have organized the fest that will be lasting three days from March 11th to March 13th.
