Protect land, water, environment: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Dharmasthala, Dec 9 (UNI) The founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji today said there was an urgent need to protect land, water and environment which were being extensively exploited and pass them on to our next generation safely.

Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of five-days platinum jubilee celebrations of 'Sarva Dharma and Sahithya Sammelana' here, he said that out of 600 odd districts in the country about 212 were affected by Naxal movement and all the developmental activities in these areas had come to a halt.

The people in these affected villages did not know proper use of available water, land and environment,and this should be taught to them, he pointed out.

On the impact of using plastics, he called upon to minimize or eliminate totally the use of plastic materials in day to day life.

There was also the need for the people to go for rain water harvesting as the country was facing acute water shortage, despite receiving heavy rainfall compared to any other country.

Stressing the need for enlightening the heart of every individual with spiritual light he said human beings could convert the planet into heaven or hell by his very behaviour. ''The world can become a heaven when every one thinks about the welfare of others along with his/hers. The same world can become a hell when greed and selfishness cloud the hearts of the individuals,'' he said.

There was also need for lighting the lamp of knowledge in the hearts of every individual for the progress of the society. When humanity exists in the society there comes religious harmony, he added.

UNI