New Delhi: Noted spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Thursday, expressed confidence over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence at the Art of Living's mega event World Culture Festival.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sri Sri said, “President Pranab Mukherjee had sent a beautiful message for the World Culture Festival. He has expressed his inability to attend the event because he has to attend a program in Allahabad.”
When asked, whether he was confident about Prime Minister's presence at the mega event beginning March 11, the spiritual guru replied yes.
Faulting every concerned government agency over a cultural event on the fragile banks of Yamuna this weekend, the National Green Tribunal slapped a Rs 5 crore fine on its organisers, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-led Art of Living (AoL). But it did not stay the event.
The President, who was scheduled to deliver the valedictory address at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s WCF commencing in Delhi from March 11, on Monday decided to distance itself from the event.
An official of the Rashtrapati Bhavan had announced: "The President cannot attend the function due to unavoidable circumstances."
The three-day event will be held from March 11-13 on the west bank of Yamuna to celebrate 35 years of the foundation.
The programme that is expected to be attended by 35 lakh people from 155 countries.
