The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `It will be a celebration of life'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 17, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`It will be a celebration of life'

Staff Reporter

Seating arrangements made for eight lakh people at Jakkur

CONGREGATION OF ARTISTES: Musicians rehearsing at the venue of Art of Living silver jubilee celebrations at Jakur Aerodrome in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: It is going to be a celebration of life, said Sri Ravishankar guruji, founder of the Art of Living on Thursday.

The guruji was inspecting the arrangements at Jakkur aerodrome where the three-day silver jubilee celebrations of the organisation begin on Friday.

He told presspersons that it was a celebration of diversity, harmony and human values and the essential unity of the world. "It is an occasion to reaffirm our faith in the goodness of humankind," he said.

He said: "The practise of meditation helps reduce stress, societal violence and even suicidal tendencies. Left unresolved, stress can create problems beyond the individual."

About the expenses involved in the event, he said: "It was a compulsion. In any case people would have come and we have to take care of them.

"Even if 1 per cent of those who follow the Art of Living come here, it will be a large gathering. They cannot all be accommodated at our ashram."

Seating arrangements have been made on the airfield for almost eight lakh people.

There are three entrances, one for VIPs from the Yelahanka side (Gate 2) and another for dignitaries (Gate 1) and a third from the road for the general public.

Art of Living has hired 300 luxury buses for devotees from overseas and made arrangements with the BMTC for more buses to Jakkur from different places in the city.

Parking arrangements have been made for 8,000 cars near the GKVK campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences.

The APMC yard at Yelahanka will be for parking buses coming from outside Bangalore. City buses will be parked at the Arkavathi Layout site. Three mobile hospitals, first aid units and four fire engines have been kept ready.

There are six "food zones", each of 9,600 sq ft where vegetarian food from different regions will be made available. There will be 20,000 volunteers for crowd control and providing directions.

A large numbers of devotees have already gathered at the venue.

The stage from which Sri Ravishankar guruji, other spiritual leaders, heads of States and invitees will speak from is 520 ft. long and 60 ft. above the ground. A group of 3,800 musicians will be performing every evening.

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