Date:03/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/03/stories/2006060320700400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Spirituality alone can contain terrorism: Sri Sri Ravishankar

Staff Reporter

`Any number of legislation will be of no use if people are not spiritual'

ADVICE: The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar addressing members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Bangalore on Friday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: The Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar on Friday said spirituality alone could contain terrorism and violence in the world. Any number of legislation to curb terrorism would be of no use if people were not spiritual, he noted.

Making a special address on "Spiritual transformation" before members of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here on Friday, Sri Sri Ravishankar gave the example of a town in Bihar.

He said five years ago the town reported several murders and other crimes.

People used to gather for his discourse in large numbers. At the end, he sought a "Guru Dakshina" from them, asking them to shun violence and hatred. The people kept their promise and not a single case crime had been reported from the area so far, he said.

Only when peace prevails in society would business thrive, he told the members.

Despite its name in spirituality and commerce, India, Sri Ravi Shankar regretted, had failed to consolidate its position in the world.

He said India had the potential to excel in various fields. People had to exploit the potential and ensure that the country attained a pre-eminent place, he said.

Sri Sri Ravishankar announced that the foundation had plans to organise a three-day "Health and happiness camp" for Bangaloreans.

Minister for Forests and Ecology C. Chennigappa and FKCCI president S. Babu were present.