Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conferred award by German organisation

The award, instituted by the Forum Tiberius, a German organisation dedicated to revitalising the dialogue on the interaction between culture and economics, was presented to Sri Sri by Mayor of Dresden Helma Orosz at a ceremony in a special session of the World Culture Forum in Dresden, a release from the city-based Art of Living said here today.

Several eminent persons paid glowing tributes to Sri Sri for his contribution at the World Culture Forum, a biannual conference series which examines the need for a proper balance between different facets of culture, it said.

Speaking on the occasion Nirj Deva, British Member of European Parliament, commended Sri Sri's initiatives in Europe, and spoke of the breadth, depth and multidimensional approach of the Art of Living Foundation.

"He is friend to millions - presidents and peasants," he said. His contribution to bringing people out of distress is greatly appreciated, he added.

Sri Sri said, "I share this award with all those people who stand for a violence-free and stress-free society. This award is not for a person or personality, but for a principle that stands for the ideal of a 'one world family' and cultural plurality."