‘Corruption can be curbed through Art of Living’

The Pioneer, Dec 17, 2010
BIKASH KHEMKA | BHAWANIPATNA

Spiritualism pervaded the air here with Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar’s visit and didactic discourse on Wednesday evening at the college field here thronged by the people of both Kalahandi and adjacent districts.

The backdrop of the dais was catchy with the images of Maa Manikeswari Temple, Chhatar Yatra and the primitive tribal groups depicting the true aura of this tribal district.

In the morning hour, Ravishankar laid a foundation stone at nearby Dharmagarh for an agriculture university and air-dashed here by chopper at around 2.30 pm. Being accorded a rousing reception at the police field here, he went to the farm house of Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das, 10 km away from here, where he joined a Rudravishek at the Shiv Temple in the premises.

Addressing hundreds of Dongria Kondhs and tribals from the Niyamgiri hilly areas, invited by MP Das, Ravishankar said, the tribal culture and heritage should be saved at any cost. Guruji announced to construct a school in the tribal area where the kids will have better education and also distributed blankets to 800 primitive tribes.

Addressing the gatherings from the dais in the evening hour, Guruji exhorted that people should focus on agriculture so that development is possible.

“Where the feeling of apnapan and prem (universal acceptance and love for all) ends, there starts bhrastachar (corruption) and unless the people curb corruption unitedly, there will never be any progress while corruption can be eradicated through Art of Living course,” Guruji asserted.

Guruji also appealed to the people to cooperate with each other to develop the underdeveloped Kalahandi and formation of sadbhavna (equality) among all.

Emphasising on seva, he said everyone’s determination, dedication and God’s grace will witness Kalahandi develop soon. He also advised to have a sanitation drive in each village and get the district rid of plastics.

Recalling his recent visit to China, Ravishankar said no western country has developed like China.

Focusing on medicinal plants he said, Kalahandi is full of flora and fauna in its forests and if it is used for the betterment of human beings, it would profit all and the people would get good medicines in the market.

He also appealed to the farmers to have a zero budget farming.

Guruji informed that MP Bhakta Das had requested him to have a visit to the district and since so many people from Kalahandi have visited him in the last 15 years, he was curious to reciprocate.

Speaking to the Press on as to why terrorism is increasing in the world, Guruji replied that is why he is a globetrotter striving at bringing peace and equality among all.

When asked whether he supports the industrialisation, Guruji quipped, “Yes I do, but never at the cost of environment.”