Over 1 lakh Art of Living (AOL) volunteers and followers, who have gathered to celebrate 35 years of the NGO's "humanitarian service" are in high spirit to ensure that the event is a grand success. The massive stage - 1,200 feet long, 200 feet wide and 40 feet high - adorned with golden domes shimmered in light. A huge posse of Delhi Police and Army personnel checked security details as the invitee list included 55 state heads, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE Ministerof Culture Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, and Alojz Peterle, Member European Parliament, among others.
Children, decked up in glittering costumes, waited patiently to perform Kathak and Bharatnatyam while their excited parents cheered them on. Fans from as far as Dubai and Phillipines chanted, 'Jai Gurudev.'
The skies opened up to lend drama to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's World Culture Festival on Friday, thunderstorm followed by heavy rain and hail washed down the elaborate arrangements for audience seating at the event. But, weather couldn't dim the spirits of Art of Living (AOL) volunteers and followers, who have descended on Delhi from even Russia, China and USA, to celebrate 35 years of the NGO's "humanitarian service".
Sabina Chhatri, who came from Darjeeling (West Bengal), said, "I flew down to Delhi, with three others, on Monday. We are residing in Dwarka at an AOL member's house. Our breakfast, lunch and dinner, all are taken care of."
Nikhil Dalal, a manager with Siemens in Pune, took a week's leave from work. He said, "When my company's Vice-president heard I am going for Art of Living's World Culture Festival, he granted me chhutti immediately. I take Yoga and Pranayam sessions at my company too, which I learnt during Art of Living's basic course programme."
Fatima, Ghazala and Reshma, from 'Hum Hindustani' NGO in Delhi, said they were invited by Art of Living. "We are enjoying all the dances. We didn't know our country has such diverse culture. It is very colourful and happy," Fatima said.
Dr Swathi R from Uduppi, Karnataka, said she's here to experience the "divine opportunity to meditate with Sri Sri Ravishankar." "It cannot be explained in words," she claimed, "To be able to join gurudev in meditation, is indescribable."
Santosh Sangwan from Ambala, Haryana, said, "I am cold and shivering from the rain, but I had to see Modi. I love to hear him speak."
Anastasia, from Berlin, arrived all decked up in traditional Russian costume with flowers in her hair. She waved both the Tricolour and Russian flag in her hands. In broken English she muttered, "Namaste! I love India and yoga." "I hope this country remembers its ancient civilisation and all its lessons to the world. There is Algebra, Physics, Astronomy - a treasure trove of knowledge you can teach us. The world is richer with yogi-land India," she added.
By Premji
