UNI
Bangalore, Feb 12: This high tech city will witness one of the largest congregation in the country for the silver jubilee celebrations of Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living Foundation to be held at the Jakkur Airfield on the outskirts of the city for three days from February 17.
The event was seen as a major step towards globalising wisdom and fostering human values.
''In a society plagued by domestic and societal violence, we need to globalise wisdom. Though we have advanced technologically, we have cared very little for the emotional and spiritual needs of people,'' according to Sri Ravishankar.
A sense of belongingness to the whole world was the need of the hour and ''we need to celebrate diversity, by honouring all cultures and religious traditions, rather than letting it become the cause of strife or violence. And this event will mark the coming together of One World Family,'' he added.
People from diverse cultures, background, countries and continents would be participating in the mega event. Villagers from every the nook and corner of the country would rub shoulders with different kinds of people from the Army Chief of Surinam to oncologists, artists, intellectuals and housewives.
Art of Living followers from Russia, US, Canara Mauritius, African continent, Kosava, Pakistan, China, Morocco would meditate side by side for world peace at what was perhaps the largest collective meditation in history. ''The ancient Indian dream of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam will be realised with people from over a hundred countries coming together for the celebrations,'' says Swami Pragyapad, a long time devotee of Sri Ravishankar.
Celebrations would begin on February 17 with the chanting of vedic hymns in the presence over 1000 saints from all spiritual traditions.
President A P J Kalam would deliver the valedictory address on February 19. Ten heads of state--President of Mongolia Enkhbayar Nambaryn, President of Fiji Islands Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, President of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth, Vice-President of Panama Rub n Arosemena Valdez, Vice-President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Vice-President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lu Hsiu-Lien, Vice-President of Croatia Vesna Pusi, Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joyce Munjuru and US Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr--would join the celebrations.
Former US President William J Clinton would be among the dignitaries gracing the occasion on the second day. The other dignitaries included Governors and Chief Ministers of ten States, former Prime Ministers Atal Behari Vajpayee and H D Deve Gowda, former Deputy Prime Minster L K Advani, several Union and state ministers, bureaucrats and eminent personalities from the world of business, showbiz, academics and sports.
The star attraction of the event would be a grand symphony by an unprecedented 3,800 musicians. Artists from different traditions of Indian music would take part in the show, playing on 650 mridangams, 770 veenas, 750 flutes, 782 violins, 138 nadaswarams, 92 saxophones, 30 morsings, 150 guitars, 138 thavils and other instruments. Noted musicians like Dr M Balmuralikrishna, Lalgudi Jayaraman and TV Gopalkrishnan would enthral the assembly with their rendition.
The spirit of dynamism and enthusiasm would come alive with the Art of Living Youth Choir to be presented by hundreds of youth from colleges of the city. In addition, representatives of the Art of Living from every continent would showcase their country's heritage and culture through music, dance and creative arts.
The stage, inspired by ancient Indian architecture, would spread across 3.5 acres and accommodate over 5,000 dignitaries, including the 3800 musicians. The 526 ft by 292 ft stage with 14 mantaps on it was nearing completion.
Elaborate arrangements had been made for the visitors. Several food courts with cuisines from all parts of India would be available at the venue. Over 4,000 BMTC buses were being organised from different parts of the city to ferry people to and from the venue.
''We have made elaborate arrangements to decongest the flow of traffic during the three days of celebrations,'' says Sarsha Vasudev, who is co-ordinating the transport arrangements.
''A well co-ordinated system is in place to take care of the logistics of the event. Various teams are working overtime to make it comfortable for visitors,'' says Commodore Sarvotam Rao, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
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