Culture Ministry gave Rs 2.5 crore for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s World Culture Festival

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Culture gave Rs 2.5 crore for the Art of Living foundation’s World Culture Festival to be held on the fragile banks of Yamuna this weekend.

According to the documents in possession of the Hindustan Times, the grant was approved in December for Vyakti Vikas Kendra Trust set up by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who is also the founder of Art of Living.

“There is a scheme of financial assistance given to cultural organisations with national presence. We have given similar grants to Spic Macay, Vidya Bharati Sanskriti Sansthan, and a number of other organisations,” the daily quoted Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma as saying.

“The quantum of grant could be up to Rs 5 crore under the scheme and they have been given Rs 2.5 crore,” he said.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the event which begins on March 11. President Pranab Mukherjee has decided not to attend the event.