Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conferred with Peru's highest award

HOUSTON: Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been conferred with Peru's one of the highest awards for contribution to humanity.

For the first time, the Andean Parliament and the Peruvian Congress jointly organised a programme and conferred awards at an exclusive ceremony attended by members of Congress, the Parliament, diplomats, senior government officials and the Indian community in Peru.

Sri was honoured with the award titled 'Medalla de la Integracion en el Grado de Gran Oficial' yesterday for his contribution to peace issues around the world through his foundation, The Art of Living.

While accepting the award he said: "We all need to work together to see this entire continent free from violence and stress."

Alejandro Martinez Meijide, director of the Art of Living in Peru, told PTI over phone: "Thousands of people have benefited from the Art of Living programmes, public talks and workshops in schools, universities, companies and jails."

In the backdrop of Peru facing violence, corruption and stress, Brando Tapia, Congress man in Peru and member of the Andean Parliament said: "Everyone should have the opportunity to know this worldwide spiritual leader, who helps us to have a better quality of life, who encourages us to do service and create a better society filled with respect, union and happiness."

The objective of The Art of Living, which was started in 2007 in Peru, involves promoting human values, fostering interfaith harmony, building communal unity, encouraging social responsibility and spearheading humanitarian causes.