Friday 25 March 2016

WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL-5, GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

Delhi soaked in rain on the 11th and 12th of March 2016.  Naysayers predicted that weather would be tumultuous, tempestuous and inclement during  the better part of the weekend.
Yes , the World Culture Festival commemorating 35 years of Art of Living was planned between  11th to 13th of March. The event showcased rich tapestry of talent from across the globe. As the  faithful gathered in vast multitudes  the skies opened and we were all soaked , drenched in the downpour that followed.
To my observation no one fell sick or ill despite the thunderous rain.
The only individual ( also thoroughly drenched was HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as the umbrella shielding and protecting him flew off) who suffered with a terrible cold , cough and possible fever was Pujya Gurudev.
 Guruji protected the devotees by bearing the brunt and fury of the nature.  Lord Krishna too protected the Gopas and Gopikas of Nand Gaon by lifting the  Govardhan mountain to save them from the wrath of Indra. Who says miracles do not occur? A discerning observer has to just flow with the tide to see them unfold as we  witnessed it during those three days and on several other occasions.
There is a plant called Lakshmitaru. It is making waves across the globe for certain  inherent  medicinal properties.  A few saplings were transported from Bangalore to Delhi by Rajdhani Express  as  important dignitaries were to water the plants during the World Culture Festival. For certain reasons the event did not fructify at Delhi. But the Master remembered and conjured a little trick and saw to it that these  were watered by another set of dignitaries on the 19th of March at Bangalore Ashram during the Veena recital. Gurudev has such an eye for detail, which only a Siddha Purush can possess. Thus in the process those in Sri Sri Agricultural Trust were not disappointed. After all , to make people happy is the motto of Art of Living.
There were a large number of artistes , devotees travelling back from Delhi to their respective  destinations by different  trains. Even though the Parliament was in session all the emergency quota  which is normally availed by VIP's , Members of Parliament  were  surprisingly  provided to  the Art of Living family and those who gathered to perform during the World Culture Festival . This happened seamlessly and effortlessly that no one remained stranded. And it is reckoned no VIP complained .
I  recall these  events vividly   and  deliberately  post this on Good Friday and prior to  Easter Sunday , to remind the agnostics , skeptics and non-believers that we are blessed to be born in the times of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  that miracles do happen.
 Those who have not learnt the unique breathing technique 'Sudarshan Kriya' should immediately do so and learn the knowledge Sutras  as revealed by Guruji himself.It has transformed the lives of millions of people across the globe . Why does one miss the opportunity to sport that smile and get rid of stress and anxiety.
Good Friday is a Christian festival commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ and his death at Cavalry. I remember attending the mid night mass at Chandigarh  followed by Easter  Sunday.
Easter also called Pasch or resurrection Sunday is a festival and a holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans at Cavalry Circa 30 AD.

Our family used to make  an annual pilgrimage by the Panjab and Haryana  Roadways buses  to Chandigarh , where my father's close friend served as a senior bureaucrat. We either stayed with  Vaishnav uncle ( IAS) or were housed  either  at Panjab or Haryana MLA's hostel if the  contingent was large. In case  the numbers arriving from Delhi were very unwieldy( our extended family and friends) we were housed at the Union Territory Guest House.

Why Chandigarh to celebrate Good Friday , Easter and even Christmas?
Well my mother was working  as a medical social worker at  the Rajan Babu TB Hospital at Delhi and Bishop Rego ( the Arch Bishop of Chandigarh and Simla ) used to assist  her in several projects to ameliorate the conditions of those afflicted with  TB. And mind you there was no ulterior motive behind the service rendered. Those were innocent times .No question of proselytisation.
 We remained devout  Hindus , yet were catholic in nature.  I recall the imposing figure of Julius Rebeiro and later KPS Gill participating in these  functions with great zeal.
Vaishnav uncle used to keep us in splits with  his remarkable timing and humour . The all time favourite ,  much to the amusement of the two top cops was  that the drivers of Panjab and Haryana road ways buses known for their rash and irresponsible driving  would gain  a faster   entry into the heavens   than Bishop Rego and all the faithfuls attending  Good Friday and Sunday Easter mass as  those travelling  by these buses  remained   petrified  and prayed  sincerely that  nothing untoward happened . Bus drivers provided more number of faithfuls than evangelists and Gods look for numbers joining their fold.

' If Christ was God, He cannot sin , and if suffering was a sin by itself , he could not have suffered and died for us . However , since he took the most horrific death to redeem us, He showed us in fact suffering and pain have great power' wrote EA Bucchianeri.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar too has taken birth to alleviate the pain of humanity and  to bring smiles on the faces of millions of people across the globe. It would be significant to add that  several Christians while doing Sudarshan Kriya have many a times have a  glimpse of Jesus Christ.
You may too  have the glimpse of the God or Prophet of the faith you follow. Jai Guru Dev.


No comments:

Post a Comment