Mumbai: BJP’s Lok Sabha member and Bollywood actress Hema Malini today praised Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for his attempt “to integrate all cultures of the world” with the Art of Living’s World Culture Festival (WCF) that is talking place in Delhi. “Whenever such a grand event is being organised, party politics should be kept aside”, Sri Sri said, adding that his foundation has already received invitations from Australia, Mexico and other nations which wanted to host the next edition of the event.
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The Foundation had earlier told the Tribunal that the total cost of the Festival was in excess of ₹25 crore, including ₹10 crore on decorations.
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Asked if he would go to jail for refusing to pay the fine for the three-day World Culture Festival here, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: “Yes, I will”.
He said that, through the Art of Living, the world has been able to appreciate India.
On Wednesday, the Tribunal had imposed Rs 5-crore fine on AoL as environmental compensation while clearing the decks for its three-day festival starting today. The green court, however, had clarified that Rs 5 crore which they have been asked to pay be treated as “environmental compensation” and not “penalty” .
In its application, the foundation said that it is a “charitable organisation and it is difficult” for it to generate Rs. 5 crore in a short period.
Large crowds braved heavy rain for the start of the event, crossing army-made pontoon bridges across Delhi’s main river, the Yamuna, to the “World Culture Festival ” , where 35,000 dancers and musicians will perform to an expected audience of millions over three days”. It pulled up Ministry of Water Resources for not doing anything to protect Yamuna from pollution despite directions.
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Several violations were alleged, including the dumping of construction debris, building pontoon bridges and destruction of floodplains. Taking into consideration the fact that, the event is scheduled to be held from tomorrow at the Yamuna west bank, the condition put forth seems a bit harsh.
