Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during the second day of World Culture Festival.
Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today praised Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for organising the World Culture Festival, which raised the heckles of green activists, saying it is a "matter of pride" that the spiritual guru has brought the whole world at one place.
"We really appreciate the initiative of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. He has brought the whole world at a place in Delhi. It's a matter of pride for all of us," he said.
The three-day cultural extravaganza, which started yesterday, is being attended by thousands of people and delegates from a number of countries.
Being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's The Art of Living Foundation (AOL), the festival, however, has been embroiled in controversy as environmentalists alleged that the event has damaged the ecology of Yamuna flood plains and demanded that it be stopped.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had on Wednesday asked AOL to pay Rs 5 crore as environmental compensation while clearing decks for the event.
However, yesterday the NGT asked them to pay Rs 25 lakh and the rest in next three weeks time after the AOL counsel said it was an NGO and not in a position to pay the amount in such a short period of time.
The Culture Ministry also came under attack for providing funds for organising the World Culture Festival.
However, Mr Sharma had said financial support was given to AOL as part of "routine" grant to organisations promoting art and culture and not for organising the particular event.