Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar claims many accomplishments. He is the secret inspiration behind India's India's cricket triumphs. He staged a gathering in Delhi to mark the 35th anniversary of his Art of Living Foundation that apparently set a world record. He is the spiritual force behind uniting arch rivals Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is a Padma Vibhushan awardee.
And now, a British online newspaper has reported that the guru had reached out to the dreaded terrorist group ISIS in an effort to help stop the violence and killing it propagated.
In an interview to the Independent, Sri Sri said dialogue alone was the key to peace with the Islamic terror group but conceded that talks would not succeed if the fighters believed "no-one else has a right to exist".
One thing you must know is that Life moves in the direction of the best. On the way you may find rough roads, but it is towards the better.
— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) March 20, 2016
"Isis is very peculiar. I stretched my hand out to have a dialogue, but when these people think no-one else has a right to exist, talks alone will not work," the 59-year-old spiritual leader said.
Institutional justice might be the answer, he said. "Once they are in prison maybe then we will be able to change their minds," he said.
#Naadotsav - A performance of 2000 Veenas for the first time on one stage. Very serene & meditative. pic.twitter.com/Eat7WThirv
— Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) March 19, 2016
Recently, the AOL's function in the national capital, hailed as the "Olympics of culture", was attended by an estimated 3.5 million people. It came under severe criticism from environmental groups who claimed that the foundation destroyed the fragile Yamuna flood plains used to host the global event.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with a galaxy of celebrities from around the world. The National Green Tribunal even imposed a fine on the World Culture Festival 2016.
On India’s caste system, he said: "Actually politicians want want the caste system the way it is. But people from any caste can rise to any level. its only been by the profession, but not by birth. people form any cast can raise to any level."
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