The world famous Greek Musician Yanni Chryssomallis performed three days long stage shows in Agra on 1997 March 20, 21 and 22 .
The spectacular concerts which were staged at the back-side of the monument Taj Mahal on the bank of the river Yamuna. Mega event was purely a commercial one and sponsored by the PEPSI (the natural enemy of Marxists world wide!!!!!!!!!!! )
Stage and seating arrangement in the middle of the river Yamuna and Indian Army's help was sought to build two pontoon bridges to get across the river and also for building the roads leading to the pontoon bridges. The bridges were built in record time. 50 truck-full loads of equipment were used alone for audio and video systems . U.P in which Agra is a part was ruled by Mayavati of BSP and the HD Dewa Gawda was the Prime Minister.
The Stage was nearby to the TAJ MAHAL and that too ON THE Yamuna River . There was no questions raised in the Parliament, not large cries were heard and many Politicians including those from Congress also attended the function.
Yes there was protests, noted historian Romila Thapar and social activist Patwant Singh, had held in their petition that the concert would affect the Taj Mahal adversely due to the effects of the high-voltage sound systems proposed to be employed, and that the concert should therefore be banned. No body objected against deploying Army for the construction of pontoon bridges over Yamuna
Stage and seating arrangement in the middle of the river Yamuna and Indian Army's help was sought to build two pontoon bridges to get across the river and also for building the roads leading to the pontoon bridges. The bridges were built in record time. 50 truck-full loads of equipment were used alone for audio and video systems . U.P in which Agra is a part was ruled by Mayavati of BSP and the HD Dewa Gawda was the Prime Minister.
The Stage was nearby to the TAJ MAHAL and that too ON THE Yamuna River . There was no questions raised in the Parliament, not large cries were heard and many Politicians including those from Congress also attended the function.
Yes there was protests, noted historian Romila Thapar and social activist Patwant Singh, had held in their petition that the concert would affect the Taj Mahal adversely due to the effects of the high-voltage sound systems proposed to be employed, and that the concert should therefore be banned. No body objected against deploying Army for the construction of pontoon bridges over Yamuna
Then why this INTOLERANCE when the similar scenario was aroused; at least the present site is far away from a sensitive monument like TAJ and there is no sound and laser light pollution. This is not a Commercial event and the organizers are reiterating that not a single tree was cut and site will be restored without harming the Yamuna.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told that the World Culture Festival; the event will feature yoga and meditation sessions, peace prayers and traditional cultural performances from around the world– would not damage the banks of river Yamuna and that he would ensure the venue is developed into an eco-park. It is to be noted that years back the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living (AOL) Foundation started a mission called “ My Yamuna, My Dilli” to clean Yamuna , with an involvement of more than 3,000 volunteers .
On 9 March 2016 the National Green Tribunal slapped a penalty of five Crore rupees on AOL and they are going to pay not only this fine but also the charges for making the pontoon bridge ; with a smile .
On 9 March 2016 the National Green Tribunal slapped a penalty of five Crore rupees on AOL and they are going to pay not only this fine but also the charges for making the pontoon bridge ; with a smile .
