This refers to your editorial “Art of Leaving” and “Art of living” two big stories (March 11). I have a great respect of Sri Sri Ravishankar is a renowned Guru who reflects the greatness of India’s cultures. Looking at the scale of operations by Art of Living Foundation on the banks of Yamuna river, it is surprising that various Govt authorities failed to notice the damage being done. Art of living has been working with good intentions and for the betterment of the society. Their purpose is not to pollute Yamuna but to raise awareness about the plight of this river. This event conducted by AOL is good for India since the whole world is now realising the value of Indian Yoga and spiritual power. The question did AOL break the law, or did they follow the rules and regulations, even if they think they are doing good, AOL still need to respect the law. The World Culture Festival on the Yamuna floodplains is highlighting an arguable cultural deficit, an apparent lack of understanding, in certain quarters, of the absolute need to protect the environment and the ecology for current and future generations. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has a huge following worldwide. He is also a genuine missionary, unlike most others, with tangible global impact on mental, emotional, psychological and physical healthcare, and a man who has undertaken peace missions in the most violent conflict zones. AOL will now have to respect the law and pay fine for environmental damage. It is also clear that all our rivers have been misused and treated with disrespect. To lose stature on an environmental issue is real bad business for an organisation of peace like Art of living.
Vinod C. Dixit
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
