Italian hostage crisis: Ravishankar offers to negotiate

Jaipur: Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar has offered to negotiate between Maoists and the Odisha government in the issue of abduction of two Italians by naxals. He said he is always ready for peace talks anywhere. “I am ready for mediation between the Maoists and government for the release of the foreigners and would go if either of the sides approaches,” he said here late last night. [caption id=“attachment_252650” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“He said that naxal-affected areas need reforms and education and spirituality can play a crucial role in improving the situation there. AFP Photo”] [/caption] He said that naxal-affected areas need reforms and education and spirituality can play a crucial role in improving the situation there. “Education and spirituality can play an important role in the process of transformation in the areas which are affected by Naxalism,” he added. The Italians, Puri-based tour operator Paolo Bosusco and tourist Claudio Colangelo, were taken hostage while they were trekking in the Kandhamal district on 14 March. Expressing concern over diminishing values in politics, Ravishankar has said that he would never step into politics. “Politics is not my field and I would not step in. I will work for reforms and for this there is no need to join politics,” he said. “Politics today needs values. See what is happening today, politicians are watching porn in assemblies…such is the situation of the country,” Ravishankar, who courted a controversy by remarks on government school, said. When asked how the values can be revived, he said, “In my view, politician should be a competent person. They should do spiritual Sadhna and develop penchant for service of people”. PTI