Just 26 Crores? Let's Use You For All Big Events: Court To Team Sri Sri

New Delhi: India's top environmental court has allowed the ginormous festival organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the banks of the River Yamuna - but during the hearing today, the judges lightened up the mood with a little humour. When the Art of Living Foundation told the court that the three-day event is costing 26 crores, the judges responded, “If you can do it in this cost, it is indeed remarkable - maybe you should handle all such national events!”

Environmentalists had taken Sri Sri's Art of Living to court, alleging that the 1,000-acre spread of the “World Cultural Festival,” the lakhs of attendees that are expected, and the construction on the floodplains of the Yamuna will do irreversible damage to the already-vulnerable ecosystem in this part of the capital.

Sri Sri and his Foundation resolutely rejected those charges, countering that after the event, which starts on Friday, they will create a huge biodiversity park at the venue, and that any structures for the event are temporary.

Amid the whorl of controversy, President Pranab Mukherjee has cancelled his attendance at the “World Culture Festival”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security team has reportedly shared concerns that the stage meant to host him and other VVIPs is not structurally sound. Organisers denied that in court today, stating that they have used experts who have built stages for other large concerts and the government's Make In India summits, which bring together large audiences of potential investors.

The organisers had originally said they expect 35 lakh attendees, though they revised that estimate in court to about three lakhs.

The festival will feature yoga and meditation sessions, prayers by Sanskrit scholars and traditional cultural performances from around the world.