Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)
Moodbidri, Feb 18: Founder of Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravishankar, accused pharmaceutical lobby of carrying out a malicious campaign against the Indian systems of medicines including Ayurveda. Speaking to press persons at Shobhavana in Mijar near here on Thursday February 17, he felt that increasing popularity of Ayurveda system of treatment in foreign countries has shaken this lobby, which has now begun reacting by claiming that these systems of treatment are not scientific.
He called upon the government to take measures to encourage indigenously developed systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy. He urged the people to work consciously to banish corruption from the country, as the country can prosper only if corruption is driven out. He lamented the fact that even the judiciary is not free from corruption.
To a question relating to spiritual leaders turning villains, he said that this is so because of some fake leaders. He stressed that vilification campaign launched against Art of Living Foundation by a few persons through the internet, are gimmicks aimed at gaining some popularity. Backing the proposal to vest the Lokayukta with sweeping powers, he wanted the entire system to undergo a through change. He exhorted people to put everything through intellectual and thinking processes before accepting them. About the fear of sorcery expressed by people including the state Chief Minister, he said that there is no need to fear black magic, if one develops positive energy within oneself through devotion, Yoga and meditation.
He explained about the initiatives being undertaken by his foundation to rid the society of the ill of drinking. Replying to a question, he said that the government should give only barren lands for setting up of industries. He hailed the efforts being made by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, to impart economic empowerment to poor people through his rural development project. Explaining about the secret behind his good health, he said that his health remains good as he sticks by what he says, and therefore, there are no inner conflicts within.
Reacting to the system of ‘Madesnana’ prevalent in Subrahmanya temple, Sri Sri said that systems like Madesnana, hanging of children upside down, etc., are practices that have not found a mention in any of the ancient scriptures. He also assured the people that the world will not end in 2012 as predicted by some doomsayers.
Before the press conference, a separate programme had been held for the doctors, officials, citizens and members of Art of Living Foundation. Apart from M Mohan Alva, MLC, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Coastal Development Authority chairman, B Nagaraj Shetty, former minister, K Amarnath Shetty and Pradip Kumar Kalkura participated.