December 19, 2024 06:13 (IST)
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Sri Sri's World Culture Fest opens with spectacular show; PM, world leaders attend
New Delhi, Mar 11 (IBNS) Amid controversy over the environmental damage caused to the Yamuna flood plains, the three-day World Culture Festival of spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar began here on Friday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending it along with several dignitaries and leaders from the world.
Aiming at his critics who called it his private party spoiling the environment aided by the government machinery, the spiritual guru said: "Yes, this is a private party, because the whole world is my family.
He said so many youngsters joined the festival making it a beautiful occasion as he urged all to keep smiling and face challenges with courage.
The programme began after a spell of thundershower.
Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation of Sri Sri to deposit Rs 25 lakh by 4pm on Friday, when it agreed to hear the environmentalists' plea that the controversial festival was set to begin without paying the fine imposed by the tribunal.
The total fine amount decided by the court is Rs 5 crore.
The tribunal said that if AOL fails to make the deposit, the Rs 2.5 crore grant given by the Union Ministry of Culture will be freezed,
Earlier this week, the NGT had cleared the event but ordered the AOL foundation to pay a fine of Rs 5 Crore before the inauguration of the event.
The NGT has said the remaining amount has to be paid in three weeks.
AOL said it needed four weeks to pay the Rs 5 crore fine.
Terming their foundation as a charitable institution, the members said that the money should be used to build a bio diversity park.
Environmentalists have alleged that the programme, due to take place on the banks of Yamuna over the course of three days, will cause irreplaceable damage to the flood plains.
The event has also come under scanner, with many taking a swipe at both the central government and Delhi government for bias.
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