Sri Sri extravaganza: Ravi Shankar says Modi attending, NGT threatens to revoke permission if Rs 5 cr fine is not paid

He also said that it was not a wrong decision on their part to organise the event on the banks of Yamuna.

The controversy surrounding the National Green Tribunal is threatening to blow up with the National Green Tribunal telling the Art of Living foundation that if they don’t pay a fine of Rs 5,00,00,000 by 4 PM, it will revoke the clearance for the event. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar however refused to accept the report saying that a three-team delegation couldn’t gauge environmental damage in half an hour. He added that PM Modi was coming to the event and that President (who dropped out) had sent a letter wishing them.

Earlier, in an interview with NDTV, he said his organisation would appeal the fine in court and he’d rather got to jail than pay the amount. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking a stay on the World Cultural Festival of AOL.

Sri Sri says Modi is coming

Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Thursday confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be attending the three-day ‘World Culture Festival’ being organised by the Art of Living Foundation beginning on Friday.

Talking to ANI, he said that Prime Minister Modi would be attending the event and added that he has received a letter from President Pranab Mukherjee wishing good luck. Asserting that the Art of Living has very high grounds, he said that the organisation would contest the fine of Rs. five crore imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ahead of the mega festival on the banks of the River Yamuna in Delhi amid environmental concerns. ‘We have very high grounds and we will contest on that,’ Sri Sri told ANI. The 59-year-old also said that it was not a wrong decision on their part to organise the event on the banks of Yamuna.

‘We went there and cleaned the place. The smell that used to come from that place is not coming anymore so much as it used to. So, we are for environment. And I appeal to all the environmentalists, let us all together make this a beautiful place. This cultural festival for few days is not going to damage and is not damaging the Yamuna,’ he added.

Speaking on the report sent by three individual specialists on the three-day World Culture Festival, he said, ‘We won't accept the report given by three people, who went there for half-an-hour. They should tell us what damage has been done. They should be sent again and they should tell us the extent of damage. They should tell us what was there before the construction.’

The NGT gave its consent for the event, but imposed a penalty of Rs. five crore on the Art of Living foundation for damaging the environment. A bench headed by NGT chairperson Swantanter Kumar yesterday asked Ministry of Environment and Forests to file an affidavit and spell out why no environmental clearance is needed for raising temporary structures.

The direction came after the counsel appearing for the Ministry of Environment and Forests said that they have found no debris when an expert team visited the site. The counsel added that as per Environment Impact Assessment notification 2006, no environment clearance is needed for temporary structures

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PM Modi declines to accept doctorate from BHU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declined to receive an honorary doctorate from Banaras Hindu University, citing his policy of not accepting such degrees, official sources said here today.

Modi will be visiting BHU on February 22 to attend its convocation during which the University had proposed to confer him with honorary Doctorate of Law.

BHU, in a statement, had said it proposed to confer Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on Modi in recognition of his "yeoman services as an innovator, reformer and an outstanding leader in public service and governance".

It had requested for his consent but the Prime Minister has said he will not accept the doctorate, the sources said.

This is not the first time that Modi has declined such a doctorate. In the run up to his US visit in 2014, a university in Louisiana had proposed to confer an honorary doctorate on the Prime Minister in recognition of his contribution towards social transformation, especially for empowering women and minorities in Gujarat, to which he did not agree.

Even as chief minister, he has declined several honorary doctorates from various universities. 

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Make in India Week: PM Modi lists out achievements, says FDI inflow up by 48% under his govt PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kickstarted 'Make in India Week' in Mumbai on Saturday at MMRDA grounds in Bandra-Kurla complex, a flagship event designed to impart greater momentum to the initiative to boost the manufacturing sector in the country. While addressing the audience he said that 65% of Indian population is under age of 35 and they are the greatest strength of the country.

He further said that 'Make in India' is an easy place to do business. "Our FDI inflow has gone by 48% since the day my government came into office," he added.

Showing his confidence in growth in Indian economy PM Modi said, "We will end this fiscal year with well over 7 % growth in GDP."

"We have made our systems cleaner, simpler, proactive and business-friendly." he added.

During the event, PM Modi released a book in Mumbai. Talking to the investors and delegates he said, "I encourage all of you to see for yourself the direction India is taking."He lays emphasis on ease of doing business wherein he says the government has taken decisive steps in manufacturing sector.

Talking about renewable energy PM Modi said, "This year we will record highest ever coal production." He further added that the production of natural resources has gone up and transparency provides level field for everyone.

Talking further on patent regime he said, "The formation of Company law tribunal is at the final stage and soon we shall be put in place an effective IPR policy."

"Momentum of 'Make in India' campaign has given us confidence, this motivates us to make our policy & process easier," PM Modi added.

Calling India as the land of immense opportunity, he said the country is blessed with 3 Ds- Democracy, Demography and demand and added another D- "Deregulation".

He further said that India's manufacturing sector is expected to be 12.6% in the current quarter.

"We have recorded the highest level of production of motor vehicles in 2015," he added.

He also gave the industry some friendly advice and said, "Do not wait, Do not relax, there is immense opportunity in India."

Calling this century as Asia's century, he said, "My advice to you is 'Make India your centre if you want this century to be your century'." He urged investors and invited everyone to be a part of India's unfolding story.

"This is the best time ever to be in India and even better to #MakeinIndia."

Digital and skill India have been designed for people to take part in these processes."We have developed financial schemes to enable people with financing. We are giving loans through mudra without collateral. Have told banks to give loans to small entrepreneurs, women."

He said, "Today our entrepreneurs and industry is much more confident despite global uncertainty."

He further said that manufacturing is up, pmi is up, electronic manufacturing has grown 6 fold to 18 million. 50 new phone manufacturing units are being set up in India.

"Monster job index was at 259 in January 2016, which is up 52% from Jan last year. Maximum software export was recorded last year."

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President Mukherjee, PM Modi attend International Fleet Review 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrived in Vizag for the International Fleet Review on Saturday.

This review allows the host nation an occasion to display its maritime capabilities and build bridges of friendship with other maritime nations, he said.

The President will review the international fleet comprising 75 frontline ships and submarines. He will also witness the Indian Naval Air Arm in a display of spectacular fly-past by several fixed wing and rotary aircraft comprising 15 formations, a Navy release said.

This is the second IFR, in which 50 countries are participating, hosted by India. The first one was held in January 2001 in Mumbai with participation of 29 countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address the gathering and release a book on India's maritime heritage.

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