Art of Living's trouble-ridden World Cultural Festival is being held to celebrate the foundation’s 35 years in service.
Nearly 36,000 artistes from around the world will perform on what is possibly the world’s largest stage.
Environmentalist Manoj Misra had, last month, petitioned the Tribunal asking that the World Cultural Festival, being organised by Art of Living, not be allowed to use the floodplains near Mayur Vihar.
Though the festival has come under fire for its ecologically-sensitive venue, it was given the go-ahead by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday. NGT said that the floodplains had been damaged in the preparations for the festival but the Art of Living Foundation has maintained that it hasn’t done anything wrong.
Live updates:
8.11 pm: If we keep criticising ourselves, why would the world look at us, asks PM Modi (ANI)
>#WorldCultureFestival is a Kumbh Mela of culture…a great confluence of people from all over the world. Glad to be a part of the festival.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >March 11, 2016
8.10 pm: This is the Kumbh Mela of culture, PM Modi tells the audience.
8.08 pm: Through Art of Living, the world has got to know about India. I remember a reception by 'Art of Living' family in Mongolia, says the PM.
H'ble >@PMOIndia Mr.Narendra Modi addressing the diginatries, guests & audience at the >#WorldCultureFestival Now! >pic.twitter.com/ka1KUA8UzR
— World Culture Fest (@WCF2016) >March 11, 2016
8.06 pm: "We are all linked not only by economy but also by culture."
8.05 pm: I want to congratulate Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. His mission has spread all over the world, in various nations: PM
8.03 pm: "India is so diverse and it has so much to contribute to the world."
8.00 pm: I want to welcome all of you to India, says PM Modi.
7.05 pm: Power is back in the public section of the World Culture Festival after 10 minutes of failure.
7.00 pm: AOL awards the 'Krishi Ratna Puraskar' to farmers on the stage.
6.55 pm: More than a 100 people from Pakistan are here, says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, drawing loud cheers.
6.50 pm: Power failure in the public section at the World Culture Festival, reports our correspondent Shiv Sunny.
6.40 pm: AOL's founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar begins his address."People from so many countries have gathered to send a message that we are one world family."
6.15 pm: Delhi Metro will be running extra trains on the Noida line during the festival, reports Siddhartha Roy.
6.10 pm: The PM, who is inaugurating the event, >almost didn't make it. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the 7-acre stage being constructed for the Art of Living's ‘World Culture Festival’ was unstable, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have another stage.
6.00 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be making an address shortly.
5.50 pm: Performers get ready before the start of the show.
5.40 pm: Heavy rain gives way to sunshine, rainbow.
5.35 pm: People chant 'Modi Modi' as Prime Minister & Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrive at the venue.
5.32 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the venue.
5.30 pm: Mild hailstorm at the festival venue; people look out for shelter.
5.26 pm:
Visitors taking cover from the rain at >#WorldCultureFestival . Photos via >@Jaideepdeobhanj>@the_hindu>pic.twitter.com/yZSCgP629S
— Delhi Connect (@DelhiConnect) >March 11, 2016
5.20 pm: The festival begins with 'Namaskar' and 'Jai Gurudev', reports our correspondent Shiv Sunny.
4.50 pm: Heavy rain reported at the AOL's venue. No roof for public, thousands drenched.
4.45 pm:
Due to World Culture festival traffic is diverted from Nizamuddin Khatta towards Ashram.
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) >March 11, 2016
4.37 pm: AOL's founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had earlier said that he >would not pay the fine but was fine with going to jail if the NGT asks him to.
Traffic begins to build up outside the >#AOL venue on Ring Road. Cops say 20,000 weddings to add to the chaos >pic.twitter.com/4pCzpq2J3k
— Delhi Connect (@DelhiConnect) >March 11, 2016
4.35 pm: The National Green Tribunal had slapped a fine of Rs. 5 crore for violating green norms. In its order, it has noted that the Rs 5 crore is not penalty but an environment compensation
4.30 pm: Several world leaders have >skipped the cultural festival , citing "protocol issues."
4.20 pm:
Drizzle fails to dampen enthusiasm of attendees of AOL'S >#WorldCultureFestival . >@the_hindu>@DelhiConnect>@abaruah64>pic.twitter.com/Bp0daXw8XH
— Shiv Sunny (@shivsunny) >March 11, 2016
4.15 pm: Light drizzle begins ahead of AOL's World Culture Festival in Delhi.
