Sri Sri Condemns Mumbai Terror Attacks

27th November, 2008

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and called for solidarity amongst the people. "The country is going through a terrible time and this terrorist attack has left Indians in the grip of fear and anxiety. In this situation, religious and political leaders need to show the country that we stand together against terrorism."

Sri Sri said fundamental change has to happen. He asked political leaders to not withhold any facts and information and be forthright with the people. Asking leaders to not merely blame other nations for the attacks, Sri Sri also called for attention to the problem of home-grown terrorism without which such acts are not possible.

Art of Living's statement regarding Star News report

22nd November, 2008

New Delhi, India

The Art of Living categorically denies the Star News report of November 21, 2008 allegedly linking Lt. Col. Purohit's activities with those of the Art of Living.

For 27 years, the Art of Living has been actively spreading the message of peace across the world. We denounce terrorism and have been working to counter all forms of it through our various programs and service projects. Our passion is to interact with terrorists to bring about a positive transformation within them.

Guruji meets thousands of people everyday. Col. Purohit had visited the ashram and may have met him in a darshan line.

Art of Living teachers are invited to do courses for people from various sections of society, including police, army, prisoners etc. One of our instructors, Jigish, was invited to conduct a course at a regular military establishment. Jigish taught the Art of Living course for a couple of hours for three days, and was escorted out of the campus after the course every day. we had no clue about what they were doing or what they were into after the Art of Living course.

We do not in any way endorse what any other organisation does. Just as a doctor treats patients but does not endorse their other activities.

The allegations made by Star News are completely unfounded and baseless. Linking the organisation with terrorist activity is absurd. It clearly shows the intention to sensationalise and malign the organisation.

We are an organization working towards creating a stress free, violence free world and will continue to work with all sections of society in this mission.

A musical treat: 1000 sitar orchestra

Times Now, 22nd November, 2008

Over a thousand sitar maestro's gathered one roof to perform a grand symphony in Noida in Indian northern Uttar Pradesh state, that falls in the National Capital Region of Delhi. The evening chill combined with a hair-raising experience of witnessing 'Brahma Naad' (Sounds of the supreme God) orchestra, the first of its kind left many spellbound on Friday (November 21).

The event was organised under the aegis of the Art of Living Foundation of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a popular spiritual and humanitarian leader.

"Today, we are standing at such a threshold that if we want, we still have the time to save our culture, our age old sciences and art forms. Today, we can still preserve them. I thank all these musicians and sitar players that they have agreed to perform here. Very few people listen to classical music these days, but they have come here, undeterred and are not only promoting the art form, but are also providing a source of entertainment to others also," said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The concert also collected proceeds for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected victims in India's eastern Bihar.

"People of Bihar are a living example for the world. While on one hand everybody is disappointed and dejected and worried because of the financial crisis, the people of Bihar are saying that look at us, we were wrecked by the floods and are in a really bad situation, but we are surviving," said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

The musical performance that traces its origin back to the history of Indian music would be showcased again on Saturday (November 22).

'Brahma Naad' is believed to be the music of the cosmos and that every part of the nature sways to the notes when the 'celestial' performance takes place.

According to the religious scriptures, the pulsating energy that it creates is the very first sound of creation and the sounds resonate within the human body transporting one to great levels of joy, happiness and love.

Organisers said that the historic event would be registered with the Guinness Book of World Record.

URL: http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=21549

‘Transparency and case to case regulation needed’

The Times of India, 18th November, 2008

BRUSSELS: Even as the G-20 meeting in Washington DC seeks to thrash out solutions to looming problems of recession, simple but creative ideas to deal with the current global financial crises were shared by business, banking and market experts at a meeting in the European Union parliament in Brussels.

The international business and leadership symposium was presided over by European Parliament member, UK-based Sri Lankan Niraj Deva, who stressed the underlying theme of the need for ethics in business. "The lack of sustainable ethics in business has been a key factor in the financial decline we see today. Had this been in place, the global system would be intact and prosperous,'' he said.

Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's International Association for Human Values (IAHV) founded in 1997 in Geneva has made the conference on "Ethics in Business: Corporate Culture and Spirituality'' an annual event that brings together prominent leaders from major sectors worldwide. This is the sixth such conference, the third in Brussels.

World Bank vice-president Michael Klein (financial and private sector development) and chief economist, International Finance, spelt out the three options currently available to deal with the current global financial crises: "First, leave it to markets to correct themselves; second, rely on regulators and third, expect politicians to sort out the mess.''

He added, "The problem with the first option is when people continue to party, living in denial that the bubble has burst; the second wouldn't work for no one would listen to a party-pooper (who anticipates a bubble-burst and so directs that the party should stop) just when it seems things are going great and the third option would be useless since politicians wouldn't want to play party-spoiler especially if elections are round the corner.''

What is the solution, then? A mix of options, one and two, but it is important also for people to be careful of where they put their money. Klein warned ordinary investors of getting tempted by "Ninja loans where lenders are willing to give large amounts to someone unemployed and with no assets. If you do give in to the temptation, then don't complain when the lender wants his money back.''

Asked if he would promote the idea of an overall regulatory authority, Klein said that what is required is additional transparency and case-to-case regulation even when a financial institution is doing nothing illegal.

"We need a Martin Luther King in the financial sector to bring change and stability,'' said Economics professor Rudy Aernoudt of the University of Ghent, Belgium. "We talk of the need for a level playing field whereas what we really need is a loyal playing field.''

URL:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Intl_Business/Transparency_and_case_to_case_regulation_needed/articleshow/3720730.cms

Sri Sri addresses 'The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue'

Above: Video of H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's address at 'The Civilization of Peace: Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue', Cyprus, 16th November, 2008

Police help weavers learn Art of Living

The Hindu

Karimnagar police launch programme for weavers to contain suicides

SIRCILLA (KARIMNAGAR DT): There is glow and enthusiasm on the faces of powerloom weavers of Sircilla nowadays, thanks to the measures initiated by the Karimnagar district police. The powerloom weavers, who are otherwise depressed due to various reasons are confident lot now.

In the wake of spate of suicides by the powerloom weavers, the Karimnagar district police embarked upon a social responsibility programme of putting an end to the suicides by conducting the “Art of Living” programme for theweavers and their families. The police had conducted programmes in two phases with the experts of “Art of Living” in Sircilla on October 7 to 11 and 17 to 21 for the benefit of nearly 1,000 weavers and their families.

Active participation

Initially, the weavers were reluctant to participate in the Art of Living programme, but the police had compelled them to participate in the programme. Later, they arrived on their own and actively participated in the camp and learned the skills of eliminating stress and tension.

The powerloom weavers have stopped consuming liquor, which had become a cause of concern for the suicides. “The participation in the camp gave us the confidence of leading life despite the financial crunch being faced by us ”, said Devaiah, a powerloom weaver of BY Nagar in Sircilla town.

Better living

Ch. Ramesh of Sundaraiah Nagar said that he was addicted to liquor and spent a major portion of his earning on consuming adulterated toddy only to forget tensions about the future.

Thanks to his participation in the art of living camp, he stopped consuming liquor. Now he wakes up early in the morning, practices yoga and breathing exercises to remove stress and tensions.

A Bhagya, who also participated in the camp, appealed to the women not to abuse their husbands and insult them. “Husband is the head of the family and if he is humiliated and commits suicides, what would be the future of woman and her children”, she questioned. Majority of the powerloom weavers and their family members appealed the district police authorities to permanently open the Art of Living centre in Sircilla to stop suicides and transform the textile town into a prosperous town.

URL: http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103050740200.htm

Above: Eliminating stress - Powerloom weavers participating in the Art of Living programme conducted by the district police recently in Sircilla of Karimnagar district.

Jamiat meet condemns attempts to link terrorism with religion

Zee News, 9th November, 2008

Islam is a religion of peace and humanity and the acts of a few individuals should not be linked to Islam or any other religion, said speakers at a massive public meeting organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Hyderabad on Sunday night.

Strongly condemning attempts to link terrorism with Islam or any other religion, the speakers called for dealing sternly with terrorist activities without any discrimination.

The speakers included Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Swami Agnivesh. Thousands of people attended the public meeting, organised by the Jamiat, at the end of its two-day conclave.

As many as 6,000 clerics from across the country attended the two-day meeting to discuss several issues faced by the Muslim community. It also endorsed a 'fatwa' issued by the Darul Uloom Deoband, the leading institution of Islamic learning, declaring terrorism as un-Islamic.

The public meeting unanimously passed a resolution condemning terrorism in all its forms and decried attempts to link terrorism with any religion. The resolution demanded that the government agencies deal sternly with terrorists without any bias and discrimination.

While pointing out that members of some organisations affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were found involved in the September 29 Malegaon blasts, the Jamiat disapproved use of the word Hindu terrorist. "This meeting appeals to administrative agencies and the media not to link terrorism with any religion," it said.

The resolution also condemned attempts to compare 'jihad' with terrorism. "Jihad is a holy word and a development process while terrorism is an act of subversion," it said.

Sri Sri Ravi Shanker of the Art of Living said terrorists have no religion. "An atmosphere has been created the worldover linking terrorism with Islam. We have to join hands to remove this misconception," he said.

Voicing his concern over growing violence, he noted that India accounted for the second largest number of casualties after Iraq. "Be it left-wing extremism, encounters and bomb explosions, the second largest number of casualties has occurred in India and we can't allow this to continue," he said.

"Even if a member of our family is indulging in such activities we should bring him to book," he said while hailing a statement by a woman from Kerala that if her son proved to a terrorist she would disown her.

Swami Agnivesh also condemned attempts to link terrorism with Islam. He termed US President George Bush as the biggest terrorist of the world and said he had to bite the dust for maligning Islam.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha Rehman Khan, Jamiat leader and Rajya Sabha member Moulana Mahmood Madani, Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, leaders of various Muslim organisations and eminent clerics from top Islamic institutes of learning addressed the meeting.

URL: http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-11-09/482198news.html

Above: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses a national session of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in Hyderabad on Sunday. DNA, 10th November, 2008

Art of Living centre in Kerala gets bomb threat

IBN Live, 1st November, 2008

Kannur (Kerala): A meditation centre of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation received a bomb threat on Saturday, one of its teachers said.

The centre received a postcard threatening that bombs would go off on Sunday while meditation classes were on, said Vava Suresh, who teaches the Art of Living meditation here.

"The card was delivered this evening warning us to stop our classes, otherwise it would come under bomb attack," Suresh said.

"Since Tuesday we have been holding a six-day non-residential day-long course for around 50 of our members and it would end tomorrow (Sunday). The post card has asked us not to hold the class tomorrow," said Suresh.

As soon as the letter was received centre officials got in touch with police who soon reached the hall in the heart of the Kannur city where the classes are held.

"Dog and bomb squads along with police officials arrived and they assured us that they would give us adequate protection. We will be holding our classes on Sunday. They have asked us to see that no vehicles are allowed into the compound of the hall," said Suresh.

The Kannur centre of the Bangalore-based Art of Living Foundation has been in operation since 2000. This is the first time it has received such a threat.

The Art of Living Foundation has millions of followers in India and abroad. It regularly conducts meditation courses across the country that are open to members of all religious faiths.

URL:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/art-of-living-centre-in-kerala-gets-bomb-threat/77263-3.html?from=rssfeed

US cities honour Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

1st November, 2008
Houston, USA

City of Houston signs MoU with Art of Living to promote health & wellness.

The Art of Living signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Houston and the Mayor's Council on Wellness to promote health and wellness in Houston. Under the MoU, the Art of Living will bring its effective stress relief and service programmes to the people of Houston.

The MoU was signed this week, at a time when the United States is undergoing financial turmoil and has elections round the corner. Signed between the Mayor of Houston Bill White and His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the programme will include specific programmes for inner city youth, returning war veterans, and prisoners among others. People turned up in large numbers in Austin, Dallas and Houston which was a part of his North American Fall tour.

The City of Houston honoured Sri Sri by proclaiming him Honorary Citizen and a Goodwill Ambassador of the city.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Sri Sri was presented the Phoenix Award, the highest award given by the Office of the Mayor of Atlanta. This is the second time Sri Sri has been honoured with the prestigious award.

Other highlights of the tour:
* In Irving, Texas, October 29th was declared Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day.
* He delivered a keynote address on human rights and religion at a function hosted by the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights and the Institute of Comparative Human Rights at University of Connecticut.
* Delivered a keynote address at a wellness symposium at University of North Texas in Dallas.
* Diwali celebrations in Dallas with Sri Sri attended by more than 4000 people.
* Addressed a distinguished gathering at Rice University.
* Addressed physicians & scientists.

Above: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Mayor of Houston Bill White signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Houston on Thursday. Under the MoU, the Art of Living will promote health and wellness in Houston.

To stress out Americans, Houston signs MOU with Art of living

The Hindu, 2nd November, 2008

Houston (PTI): Americans reeling under financial meltdown, have sought the help of Indian meditation, to overcome stress.

In an effort to provide meditation to its residents, ,the City of Houston and the Mayor Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Art of Living.

According to the MOU, the Art of Living founder, Ravi Shankar would offer its stress relief and service programmes to the people of this oil rich city.

The MOU was signed between the Mayor Bill White and the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, here on Saturday.

The stress relief programme will include specific programmes for city youth, returning war veterans, and prisoners among others.

The City of Houston also honoured Ravi Shankar by proclaiming him Honorary Citizen and a Goodwill Ambassador of the city.

In an honour to mark his visit to the region, Texas, declared October 29th as Ravi Shankar Day.

The meditation guru currently on a tour also delivered a keynote address on human rights and religion at a function hosted by the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights.

URL: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200811021987.htm