SHILLONG, Dec 15 - Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said the Northeast needs to preserve its unique identity or else the world of 7 billion would lose a distinct cultural and social identity.
The people of the region need to believe they belong to a larger global fraternity, but at the same time must retain their unique identity and culture, he added.
Ravi Shankar said the people of the region need to maintain their unique food habit, culture, language and other social traits. The spiritual guru made these statements during his interaction at the Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture on Monday.
At the same time, Ravi Shankar said that groups demanding sovereignty in the region must do a rethink whether such demands are valid in the present global context. He referred to the European Union in which the people of different nations have come together instead of splitting. He said several nations are realizing the importance of inter-dependency and unity for the overall growth of the people.
Governor V Shanmuganathan, speaking on the occasion, compared Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to the saints of the past and added that he is living his life for others and for himself.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who also spoke on the occasion, said that there is a sort of cynicism amongst the people about politicians. He hoped that with the continued visit and discourse of the spiritual leader such misconception about politicians would be removed.
Meanwhile, Ravi Shankar held a discourse at the Polo Grounds on Tuesday in which a large number of people congregated to hear him speak on spiritual and other issues.�The NCSU does not accept the notice inviting tender already floated by the NHIDCL,� they said.
�We are hopeful that the Union MoRTH (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) will listen to our request and pleas supported by the Government of Nagaland, Naga civil societies and general public in the interest of the State in general,� the NCSU officials said. � PTI
