Bangalore: Spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, today, concluded his 3-day visit to Pakistan with a call for closer ties and interactions between the people of India and Pakistan.
Commenting on the response he received in Pakistan, Gurudev said, “Indian spirituality can truly unite the people of the two countries.”
During the 3-day visit, Gurudev had a series of interactions with people from all walks of life, including Deputy Convener and Parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Farooq Sattar and Pakistan Peoples’ Party Advisor to Sindh CM, Sharmila Farooqi.
Soon after the meeting, Satar remarked, “Güruji should come every year and inspire all of us." This sentiment was echoed by many at the events in Lahore, Karachi & Islamabad.
"My dream is to see a violence-free Pakistan and I'm sure it is possible" he said addressing a gathering of dignitaries in Lahore, which was attended among others by Former Finance Minister of Pakistan, Mr.Sartaj Aziz; Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leader, Ms. Humaira Shahid; Secretary General of Tehrik-i-Insaf, Mr. Omar Cheema, and Pakistan Today Editor, Mr. Arif Nizami.
Referring to India-Pakistan relations, Gurudev cited the example of France, Germany and Britain living in peace after centuries of enmity and questioned why the South Asian neighbors could not do the same. "We have spent a lot on conflicts, on escalating conflicts and on destruction of life and environment. Now we have to work towards making peace. With greater linkages between the people, India and Pakistan can both come closer and work towards a peaceful co-existence. In order to avoid other forces taking advantage of the conflict, it is important for India & Pakistan to be in mutual peace” he said.
He even offered to talk to Taliban to bring peace in Pakistan. "I am ready to go and talk to the Taliban. I want to talk to them, understand them and give them my opinion. We can definitely make a difference. We should try it again and again even if we have to try it 100 times," he said during an interaction with the public and media in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The tone of the visit was to build common ground among the people of the two countries. In almost all his interactions, Gurudev dispelled the notion that majority of Indians are polytheists and hence not compatible with Islamic Pakistan. "Like Allah has 99 names, there are over 1,000 idols but God is not in them. God is one. Hindus also worship one God," Gurudev said.
The peace centers' at Islamabad and Karachi will work towards finding inner peace and fostering harmony in people, reach out to the youth and help in channeling their energy towards productive means.” said Naeem Zamindar, Chairman, Art of Living Foundation, Pakistan.
During his visit, Gurudev, also urged the Pakistanis to make space in their lives for meditation, yoga and breathing techniques and see how this would bring about a change. Emphasizing the importance of a calm and collected mind, he said, "When decision-makers are stressed, they will project the same thing in their decisions. They should do some meditation and relax, especially when they have to make a serious decision that will impact a lot of people."
Gurudev entered Pakistan through Lahore on Monday via the Wagah land border crossing. The Pakistan Government provided him full security right from the Wagah border.
Gurudev has always emphasized a multi religious, multi cultural, universal education in human values to create better understanding among people.
“It was overwhelming to see how Pakistani people embraced the wisdom Gurudev represents. From students to intellectuals to decision-makers, everybody was enthusiastic to listen to him. In most of the events, the halls were jam-packed well before his arrival” said Gurudev’s Secretary Girin Govind who accompanied him to Pakistan.