Margao: Dr Venkatesh Hegde, state chief of Art of Living, a non-governmental organisation involved in humanitarian projects with a special focus on stress elimination and which was founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has informed that he will be submitting a memorandum to all the temples in the state to set up de-addiction centres in the temple premises.
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While the organisers expect lakhs of people to attend the event, concerns have been raised by experts and environmentalists about the likely damage to the environment caused by holding it on the floodplain of the already polluted river in East Delhi. The President had earlier consented to attend the valedictory ceremony of the mega cultural festival scheduled on Sunday. They sought six such bridges, but the Army was asked to erect one. Nearly 35 lakh people are expected to attend the event.
“The President can not attend the function due to unavoidable circumstances”, an official of the Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Monday.
The event, which is planned to be conducted on the plains of Yamuna river, has drawn criticism from environmental activists. “The minister was of the view that since permission has been granted, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure everything is fine”.
The Army said that they are helping Art of Living organisers to conduct the event in safe environment, sources said.
The Art of Living along with the Delhi Development Authority is facing in the National Green Tribunal a case of alleged violation of environmental laws and polluting the Yamuna river.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) told the National Green Tribunal on Thursday that stopping the Art of Living Foundation’s World Culture Festival to be held here this month will not serve any objective.
The Congress leader further said this event has embarrassed the President of India too because of which even he has pulled out of the cultural festival. NGT to hear the petition on Tuesday. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar defended holding of the event, saying he would have got red carpet welcome in any other nation for holding such an event.
Cultural performances, spiritual talk, yoga and meditation sessions will be held over three days.
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Contrasting the significance of the celebration with the Olympics, Shankar additionally said that the NGT report is one-sided.
