“The Thackeray family strictly needs Art of Living lessons” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This quote had a prominent place on the front page of the Telegraph in Kolkata a couple of days ago. A bit surprising, since the language and tone is most unlike Guruji’s — so I decided to verify it from an eyewitness (earwitness?)
The scene was the launch of Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna, a unique citizens’ initiative to clean the Yamuna river, with the blessings and guidance of Guruji.
Some journos were more intent on playing the Thackeray-Rahul Gandhi card, and repeatedly asked Guruji whether or not He felt that the Thackerays should do the Art of Living course. Finally, on being repeatedly pressed, He casually replied in the affirmative. And the above (mis)quote was what the papers reported, while completely ignoring the actual issue of cleaning the Yamuna!
Such a stupid and cheap way to garner readership — I have refrained from commenting on the Indian media so far, though I feel it is at its lowest point ever — but this was just too silly. It would be sillier if the Thackerays were to read this and start bashing up AOL teachers in Bombay/Mumbai 🙂
And the newspapers would have a field day either way — even if we printed an angry riposte they would still benefit from the ensuing war of words. Its the Indian media that needs Art of Living lessons. Strictly.
Yes Bhaiya, media needs AOL lessons.
Why they are doing this to Gurudev!
well said
And below is a partial transcript of the “Yamuna clean up press conference” held in Delhi on the 4th of feb.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Addresses a Press Conference
To Announce the Launch of the Art of Living
‘Meri Dilli, Meri Yamuna” Citizen Awareness Campaign
Date: 4 February, 2010
Time: 1pm
Venue: India Islamic Centre, New Delhi
Partial transcript: Guruji – verbatim
Reference: Thackerays
(Questions on Yamuna)
Q: Ravi Shankarji Yamuna pollution pe aapne baat ki. Rajneti bhi bahut dooshit ho gai hai. To rajnetik kshetra ki yeh bhi aap maante hain sab jagah se safai ki?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Jahaan bhi pradooshan ho vahaan safai zaroorat hain. Chahe doctor ki profession hain. Dilli mein apne ni Nithari mein dekha hi hain aapne kya kya hua hain. Chahe doctor ki profession hain, ya business and industry hain, ya er rajni rajkaran hain, ya dharmik kshetra hain.
Q: Ya rajneeti?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Ya rajneetik hain. Jahaan bhi pradooshan hain vahaan safai hona zaroori hain. Accha yeh mat poochiye sab jagah mein hi jaake safai karoon.
(Everyone laughs)
Q: Mushkil to yehi hai jo aaj jo prashasan mein hain aaj sarkar vahi pe sabse zyaada pradooshan hain. Usi ke vajah se to Yamuna aur Ganga pradooshit hain.
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Voh to aap logon ka kaam hain. Press ka bhi yehi kaam hain na. Jahaan jahaan aisi gandagi hain vo nikalkar bataye.
Q: Thackeray Parivaar ko bhi Art of Living sikhaane ki zaroorat hain?
(Everyone laughs)
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Abhi Dilli mein sirf Yamuna hain. (Laughs)
(Everyone laughs)
Q: Desh ki pehchaan pe sankat mandara raha hain. Jo bhasha jo kshetra ki rajneeti chal rahi hai. Kya aapko nahin lagta hai ki Maharashtra ke kuch netaon ko Art of Living ki zaroorat hain?
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Sakht zaroorat hain.
(Everyone laughs)
(Questions on Yamuna)
so true dada,more than the shivsainiks its the media who is dividing the society. AOL should be must for them. May Guruji bless them…
Dear Vikram,
Jai Gurudev !!!
Am happy you have taken up this topic and reacted they way an AOLite should do. I felt so bad when I read this at Hindustantimes, Delhi. I think your this particular blog should put into the newspaper so that people should know how Media is creating a war with their stupid language…
Regards
Kalyani
Indeed a very sad state of affairs in the media industry. The good part about being at the lowest level is that you can only rise from there! 🙂
vry true…media focusses more on hghlghting negative things n sensationalising issues but hardly they ever focus on brngng into limelight the gud work being done n the issues worth attention.
But thn is it jus the fault of media? They present the things this way cos tht’s wht public wants n tht’s wht sells…
JGD
That’s right Vikram Bhaiya…media is no longer interested in the truth but only in the “sansani” that it can cause…..as Guruji says….just smile at them for they are ignorant and pray that thye get some wisdom!:)
Jai Gurudev!
even i read the quote, but in DNA Mumbai, its been published at many places perhaps.
I am very angry at this media.
Thanks for giving us the facts. Could’nt agree with you more…the Indian media truly needs cleansing…maybe more than the Yamuna:)
Hi Vikram, I have started listening to your songs on youtube recently and really liked them … also, developing interest in Art of Living …
There is a song by you “Shabdon ke Jungle mein ….” so lets not think what media say. Its unfortunate that media is considered to be fourth pillar and it has lost its value. Its more like a business to make money … really unfortunate.
Further, don’t you think that what media has mutilated holds true for people like Thackrey … who think they have luxury to raise issue of Maharastraism, at this time when our country is flooded with basic issues like food, shelter and healthcare, just to mention few.
Guruji has a high place and statements like these cannot effect him neither media will be benefited by it …
Tc
Sulakshana
Hi Vikram, I have started listening to your songs on youtube recently and really liked them … also, developing interest in Art of Living …
There is a song by you “Shabdon ke Jungle mein ….” so lets not think what media say. Its unfortunate that media is considered to be fourth pillar and it has lost its value. Its more like a business to make money … really unfortunate.
Further, don’t you think that what media has mutilated holds true for people like Thackrey … who think they have luxury to raise issue of Maharastraism, at this time when our country is flooded with basic issues like food, shelter and healthcare, just to mention few.
Guruji has a high place and statements like these cannot effect him neither media will be benefited by it …
Tc
Sulakshana
Yes i felt the same. The word arrangements and tone. And i said to myself, “This is the quote distorted.” It was front page news here in Surat, Gujarat also (i saw those i Gujarati newspapers).
Yesterday i was reading a book “Meeting with remarkable men” by George Gurdjeff. In the forward he wrote three such horiible incidents about the current (that was way back) media writings, how they distort things and prove false as true. How they mislead with the power of writing. How it has affected his way of looking at modern litrature and media.
You are very right Vikramji. The media industry in the country seems to have decided en masse that the only way to success is through lies and half-truths.
You r absolutely correct bhaiya………
Indian media only knows how to present any news with spices leaving the real issues far behind…
its great that ami shared Guruji’s accurate words…bittu
Bombay/Mumbai …LOLLLZ ..Truely terrorized !!
Thanks a lot for clearing the misunderstanding.
Honestly speaking ..I dint have that premonition that for sure Guruji must have NOT said this..
but was a victim of the cheap media who tried to take an undue advantage of the emotional Indian Janta.
Now that Ive read this post I am extremly happy that he dint say this.Thanks Vikram 🙂
I am wondering how surprized Guruji must be on this episode.
Do you know what was his say on this ? If yes then please post that too.
Very well said. I wish something more could be done to expose the media. I hope your article gets more hits and people would know the truth.
Vikram ji
movie “RANN” BY Ram Gopal Verma Portrayed Media’s corruption in a correct way..i think we must recommend everyone to watch this movie..the movie has not received good response may be due to “media” again 🙂
Yes, such misquotes are seriously stupid! No one benefits from them except the media. You have brought forth people’s attention to such ill-intentioned mischief, and making everyone aware about it is a great job indeed! Ami, thanks for sharing Guruji’s words. :-)Jai Gurudev!
media ko maro goli. TRP ke liye kuch bhi karenge
I don’t think this is even cleverly articulated. That reporter/journalist I think seriously believes what he has wrote, I can only pity for his state of mind.
That’s what… media’s job is to give the right news and not be biased but it is unfortunately only biased. How can our country progress when our own media is only dividing our own nation.
Dear Vikram Bhaiya,
But I also agree with the media that the Thackerays do need an ART of Living course and the values taught therein and what’s there to be afraid about
And so does SRK
Neeraj: Hehe thats true…
Jai Gurudev Bhaiyya…………….
I agree with you as well as the media with this………..Both the Thackerays and the media need the AOL courses…………
Your concert in Mlore is the best thing that ever happened to Mlore…………….. My still-to-do-YES! friends loved it as much as I did….