Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses World Culture Festival

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• published: 11 Mar 2016
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today while speaking at inaugural function of World Culture Festival of Art of Living praised Sri Sri Ravi Shankar saying he had "introduced" India. The three-day cultural extravaganza attended by thousands of people and delegates from a number of countries saw the Prime Minister telling Indians to be proud of their cultural heritage. "India has the cultural heritage and richness which the whole world is looking for. We can fulfil those needs... But it can only happen, if we take pride in our heritage. If we keep cursing it, then why the world will look at us," he said while praising Ravi Shankar's efforts in this regard. The Prime Minister said India is full of diversity and has lot to offer to the world. He said the world is not just connected through economic interests but also could be and should be connected through human values.India has cultural heritage that the world searches for. We are capable to fulfill this, but only when we are proud of our heritage. If we keep cursing ourselves, if we criticize our things, why world would look at us? Shri Modi thanked Sri Sri Ravishankar for spreading his organization across the world within the span of 35 years. Shri Modi recalled his Mongolia visit when in one stadium there, Art of Living members gave reception to him. Modi said there were very few Indians among them, but most of them were Mongolians. They had Indian tricolor in their hands. Where political power can't reach, soft power plays a major role. Shri Modi called World Culture Festival a Kumbh mela of art. He said India had a culture where art reached its supreme stage. "This is the land where music for morning is different and music for evening is different," he continued adding that the market is full of music that shakes body, but it is Hindustan where music that shakes inner core(mann). "We are the people who starts with Aham Brahmasmi and travel to Vasudhaivam Kutumbakam, and that is the art of living," PM said. He said, "We are the people who have travelled from Upanishad to Upagrah(satellite)". Former French Prime Minister Dominique Villepin, Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa, UAE's Cultural Minister Al Nahayan were among the foreign dignitaries, who were present on the occasion. In his address, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: Some called this event as Guruji's private party. I say yes it is, because entire world is my family. I believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Sri Sri said "obstacles" do come when something great is done. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also said it was in our DNA to "care for and love" nature and protect environment.