Berlin: Fifty thousand yoga fans from
around the globe braved rain to take part in a huge festival,
billed as the world`s biggest yoga and meditation camp,
organised by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar here
in the German capital.
The two-day World Culture Festival, which started
yesterday at historic Olympic stadium of Berlin, featured
meditation, music and dance from across the globe.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the The Art
of Living Foundation, around 50,000 people from across 151
countries, including 6000 artists and 804 dignitaries,
participated in the event. The programme began with Vedic
chants.
The 55-year-old spiritual guru spoke both in German
and English to the cheers of the local population.
"It is time that walls come down between cultures and
civilizations. We all should remember we are a one world
family. We need to bring everyone together in a spirit of
love, compassion and service. It is time to celebrate life on
this planet."
"With all the volunteers, we are sure we can create a
stress-free, violence-free society. One divinity, one humanity
and celebrating the diversity - this is our sacred duty," a
press release of Art of Living Foundation quoted Ravi Shankar
as saying.
India was being represented by Minister for Tourism
Subodh Kant Sahay and BJP President Nitin Gadhkari at the
event.
"Humanity needs the wisdom of ancient India to heal
the wounds of terrorism. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the
ambassador of peace, a modern rishi who has come to unite the
world", Gadhkari said.
The festival saw a diverse, enthusiastic participation
from various countries including Japan, Russia Argentina,
Lithuania, Cyprus, Cuba and Ukraine, the release said.
PTI
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