A special kind of love
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is an extraordinarily busy man. In the two and a half days the Indian lifestyle guru spent in Pakistan, he visited three cities, spoke at two major events and inaugurated two Art of Living Centres. He also met with various religious figures and politicians, scores of devotees and left an indelible mark on many.
And yet, as he settled down for his exclusive interview with the Jang/Geo team, Sri Sri looked as though he had just emerged from a deep reverie or recently returned from an extended vacation. His clothes looked immaculately clean and freshly starched; his eyes sparkled and a slight smile played upon his lips. I was reminded of how once an Art of Living teacher described the Art of Living "sudarshan kriya" that Sri Sri developed as a form of "energy management". Surely, there is method to his madness.
What was perhaps most striking about meeting Sri Sri was his simplicity. Barefoot and simply clad, the man whom his devotees affectionately call "Guru-ji" radiates affability and humour. Yet, his achievements are staggering: Sri Sri has been described as the fifth most powerful person in India. A Nobel Peace Prize nominee, he founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981, when he was just 25 years old. Now, the organisation boasts over almost 30 million followers, and has ashrams across the world.
Sri Sri travels to as many as 40 countries in a year, spreading his message of peace, unity, and the power of meditation. His philosophy and the techniques of 'sudarshan kirya' have found root in all corners of the world, cutting across religious, cultural and national boundaries. Breath is non-denominational, Sri Sri asserts, and the philosophy of love is common to all religions.
Having last visited in Pakistan in 2004, Sri Sri spoke of how happy he was to return. He talked about the natural affinity between Pakistanis and Indians, and the similarities in culture, music and food. "After all, between junta (the populace) of the two countries, there is no peace, no hatred, there's a special kind of love."
His trip to Pakistan, Sri Sri emphasised, was aimed at promoting peace between Pakistan and India. The approach? Improve trade relations between the two countries, promote cultural exchanges and start a religious dialogue, Sri Sri explained. "If we come together, we can become a major economic power."
Sri Sri strongly praised Aman ki Asha, the Indo-Pak peace initiative jointly launched by the Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan, adding that he only wished it had been started sooner. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives to further people-to-people contacts.
Sri Sri shared how he was greeted with scepticism over two decades ago when he spoke of unity and peace while visiting divided Germany. Some people may be inclined to view his position about the Indo-Pak relations similarly, he added, but peace between the two countries is imminently attainable. "Look at France and Germany," he exhorted. "After 400 years of conflict, they have come together."
"It's a long journey," Sri Sri smiled. "It won't be achieved pal bhar (immediately) but we need to take the first step."
After all, that's how a million mile journey begins.
- Laleh Habib
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
And yet, as he settled down for his exclusive interview with the Jang/Geo team, Sri Sri looked as though he had just emerged from a deep reverie or recently returned from an extended vacation. His clothes looked immaculately clean and freshly starched; his eyes sparkled and a slight smile played upon his lips. I was reminded of how once an Art of Living teacher described the Art of Living "sudarshan kriya" that Sri Sri developed as a form of "energy management". Surely, there is method to his madness.
What was perhaps most striking about meeting Sri Sri was his simplicity. Barefoot and simply clad, the man whom his devotees affectionately call "Guru-ji" radiates affability and humour. Yet, his achievements are staggering: Sri Sri has been described as the fifth most powerful person in India. A Nobel Peace Prize nominee, he founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981, when he was just 25 years old. Now, the organisation boasts over almost 30 million followers, and has ashrams across the world.
Sri Sri travels to as many as 40 countries in a year, spreading his message of peace, unity, and the power of meditation. His philosophy and the techniques of 'sudarshan kirya' have found root in all corners of the world, cutting across religious, cultural and national boundaries. Breath is non-denominational, Sri Sri asserts, and the philosophy of love is common to all religions.
Having last visited in Pakistan in 2004, Sri Sri spoke of how happy he was to return. He talked about the natural affinity between Pakistanis and Indians, and the similarities in culture, music and food. "After all, between junta (the populace) of the two countries, there is no peace, no hatred, there's a special kind of love."
His trip to Pakistan, Sri Sri emphasised, was aimed at promoting peace between Pakistan and India. The approach? Improve trade relations between the two countries, promote cultural exchanges and start a religious dialogue, Sri Sri explained. "If we come together, we can become a major economic power."
Sri Sri strongly praised Aman ki Asha, the Indo-Pak peace initiative jointly launched by the Times of India and the Jang Group of Pakistan, adding that he only wished it had been started sooner. He emphasised the importance of such initiatives to further people-to-people contacts.
Sri Sri shared how he was greeted with scepticism over two decades ago when he spoke of unity and peace while visiting divided Germany. Some people may be inclined to view his position about the Indo-Pak relations similarly, he added, but peace between the two countries is imminently attainable. "Look at France and Germany," he exhorted. "After 400 years of conflict, they have come together."
"It's a long journey," Sri Sri smiled. "It won't be achieved pal bhar (immediately) but we need to take the first step."
After all, that's how a million mile journey begins.
- Laleh Habib
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
For peace between neighbours
By Maria Kamal
Karachi
Armed with cameras, vocal chords and their artistic talent, a team of seven young Pakistani students are off to India in just two days .....more
By Maria KamalKarachi
Armed with cameras, vocal chords and their artistic talent, a team of seven young Pakistani students are off to India in just two days .....more
Chatt-patta times with winter veggies
In college, at the hostel, achar was an absolute life saver. Without it mess .....more
Vasundhara Chauhan shares memories and recipes of mouth-watering 'achars'
In college, at the hostel, achar was an absolute life saver. Without it mess .....more
BRIEFS
The organising committee of Techfest - Annual Science and Technological Festival, IIT Bombay, an amalgamation .....more
"Dear Diary... We, the youth, want peace"
The organising committee of Techfest - Annual Science and Technological Festival, IIT Bombay, an amalgamation .....more
Better SAFE than sorry
The joint declaration of .....more
The Indo-Pak Parliamentarians' latest Joint Declaration reflects measures advocated by the South Asian Federation of Exchanges
The joint declaration of .....more
Daring to cross the love border
A world without borders was my childhood dream. The desperat .....more
Ilmana Fasih shares some stories of building cross-border bridges through the social media
A world without borders was my childhood dream. The desperat .....more
Rotary Int'l, Jang Group to help with heart surgeries of 382 children
NAWABSHAH: Lt Gen (retd) Syed Pervez Shahid has said that under the 'Aman Ki Asha' programme, the Rotary International, in cooperation with the Jang Group of Newspapers a
.....more
NAWABSHAH: Lt Gen (retd) Syed Pervez Shahid has said that under the 'Aman Ki Asha' programme, the Rotary International, in cooperation with the Jang Group of Newspapers a
.....more Page 71 of 174
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The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
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For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
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