JEHANABAD: Spiritual guru and founder of the Art of Living(AOL) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Wednesday said corruption has assumed alarming proportions in the country during the past five years eating into the vitals of the body politic. More than 30 scams have taken place during the said period.

An astronomical 1.4 trillion dollars of black money stashed in the European banks is, in fact, a sad reflection on the deep-rooted corruption embedded in our political system, he said adding in a lighter vein, "Our Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) is fair-complexioned in our land but how come she becomes black after reaching the foreign shores?"

Addressing a 10,000 strong congregation at the historic Gandhi Maidan here, Sri Sri exhorted the voters to ensure hundred percent participation in the electoral process. Asserting that coalition (khichdi) governments are detrimental to the health of the nation, the spritual leader said past experience of coalition governments in India has not been pleasant. He said the national economy is on the brink of a precipice. The industrial production in the country has nosedived to minus 2.5 % and any further spell of coalition government at the Centre is likely to sound the death knell for the national economy. Advocating for a decisive mandate this time, he called upon the people to elect a strong and stable government.

Replying to a question, the spritual guru said, "I cannot say who to vote for. Being a spritual leader, I cannot campaign for or against any particular political party in the elections. I can only make a fervent appeal to elect candidates with clean, spotless image to help overcome the hydra-headed monster of corruption."

Describing Magadh as a land of enlightenment, the spritual leader said the hoary past of Magadh always beckons me to my ashram at Bodh Gaya. He informed that AoL plans to set up a training centre for priests at the Bodh Gaya ashram and a few skill development centres for youths in Aurangabad and Jehanabad. Referring to his emotional attachment with Bihar, he said, "40 % of the employees working at our headquarters ashram in Bangalore hail from Bihar. We have also provided for reservation of 20 seats each for students of Magadh and Mithila regions for admission to management courses at our university in Odisha," he added.

Originally posted here:

Elect strong and stable govt: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar