By M.R. Narayan Swamy. Delhi, India, 10:32 AM IST
Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is keen to play the peacemaker in war-torn Sri Lanka.
Claiming that he enjoys the trust of both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers, Ravi Shankar says he does not need any invitation to act to try ending one of the world's longest running armed conflicts.
'If someone's house is burning, you don't expect an invitation from them! A sensitive person will simply jump in,' the spiritual guru told IANS over email from Norway.
'Since 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) is in our veins and blood, we can't but act,' he added. 'I think it is quite normal for anyone with a sense of belongingness to just act.'
The Tamil-speaking Ravi Shankar was asked if he wished to play a role to help end the Sri Lankan conflict and whether he enjoyed the trust of Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
'Of course, yes! I guess they realise that we have no ulterior motives other than to bring peace to one and all.'
Ravi Shankar's comments came following the conclusion in Oslo last week of a peace conference organised by his Art of Living Foundation that brought together a variety of players from Sri Lanka, India and Norway.
Cabinet ministers, opposition leaders and Buddhist monks came from Sri Lanka. The most high profile Tamil representative was Vaiko, the MDMK leader from India, who pleaded for the Tamil cause in Sri Lanka. Norway's special envoy to Sri Lanka, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, and members of the European Parliament also took part.
Ravi Shankar, 51, is the founder of Art of Living, which enjoys millions of followers worldwide. He has visited Sri Lanka thrice, the last time in September 2006 when he went to the LTTE-held Kilinochchi district.
Members of the Sri Lankan establishment as well as the Tamil National Alliance, which is sympathetic to the LTTE, have interacted with him in India.
Ravi Shankar said the Oslo conference went off very well. 'Though there were heated arguments and accusations, no one walked out (usually in such instances they walk out)! There was a strong commitment for peace and understanding.'
But can a spiritual leader succeed where international actors have failed?
Answer: 'There may be big powers in the world, but they cannot unite the hearts and minds of people. Mahatma Gandhi was a deeply spiritual person. Only because of that he could engineer the freedom movement.
'I have always dreamed the impossible and it has become possible. If conflicts could be resolved in Kosovo, in Ireland, in Baku (where Art of Living played an important role) and if Mahatma Gandhi could bring freedom to India, (the ability to end) the conflict in Sri Lanka through dialogue should not be dismissed.
'I don't mind going to the end of the world if it helps to bring peace and lessen the suffering of the people.'
Ravi Shankar frequently travels abroad. His went to Norway this time after visiting Italy, Germany and Belgium. He will also visit Finland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Taiwan before returning to India later this month.
How successful, or otherwise, has Art of Living been in spreading the message of peace? Ravi Shankar : 'Art of Living received recognition from the government of Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) for resolving the conflict between two tribes. (Our) peace efforts were lauded in Ethiopia.
'Thousands of youths in Kashmir have found peace and solace through the Art Of Living programmes. Same is the case in Bihar and Chhattisgarh (where Maoists are active). We need more volunteers to replicate these success stories.'
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The choice before Sinhalese and Tamil speaking Srilankans is between give-and-take without division of the nation, and continual horror and living in danger of losing life. That is what terrorism likes. There is no history of a nation being divided into happy parts as a result of terrorists' campaigns. Swami Sri Sri Ravi Shankar understands human follies, foibles as well as strengths. Ye,all of you,listen to him, resolve and bestir yourself to act for peace and prosperity. It is not impossible to achieve. Paradise can be created here and now. Spiritual power is mightier than the mightiest brute forces.
As a sri lankan and a singhalese ,i want to say that most of the sinhala people want to live peacefully with other races including Tamils,Muslims.I have tamil friends and we work together peacefully.we have no problems between us.Politicians have deceived not only the tamils but also singhalese.I think it is up to the people now to stand against this inhuman war.Politicians will never end this problem.A movement from the community should begin.Not only the tamils but sinhala people also suffer due to this war.Soldiers in the SL army joined the army because of poverty.
If anyone believe Guru Ravi Shankar or anyone can solve the problem, you are day dreaming and will be for ever. Either you are naive or inexperienced or not with reality or having lack of knowledge of the core issue. If you just look at the way Sri Lankan's Singhalease handled their promisses given to Tamils over the years and still do not have a solution to this serious problem of this country yet, you wouldn't have an expectaion. Singhalease want to make Sri Lanka only for Singhalease and they will try to achieve this at any cost, period. Unless International Community implemented an economic sanction aginst Sri Lanka, nothing will happen and humans disaster will continue. This is my firm believe and I can bet on this with anyone.
Sw. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar can be expected to succeed in his mission due to his spiritual powers. The strife in Sri Lanka is despite the fact that both the Tamils there (mostly Hindus, and more specifically Saivites predominantly) and the Sinhalese (mostly Buddhists) have a lot of affinity in terms of religion, especially through nonviolence and kindness. Misguided politics have taken both these segments into the mess they find themselves in.
Anyone, sage or simple folks, trying to 'bring peace' to a land with the LTTE wanting only separate Eelam, be warned, it is an extremely risky affair fraught with danger to life of the do-gooder.
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