The recent event "World Cultural Festival" held in New Delhi, on the banks of River Yamuna organised by Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar of Art of Living. And the gathering was addressed by the Prime Minister of India. The fact of the matter is there is no business like Godmen business they have no fixed working hours, indulge in extensive travel, they get public adulation and no need to shave every morning.
It is also a known fact that the saints and the self-styled Godmen have been around the powers that be from times immemorial. With regards to their habitat, some lived in mountains and caves while others lived in palaces as advisers with the heads running to them for salvation and solutions. It is not out of place to mention that in today's date they enjoy the patronage, for they represent vote bank while moulding the public opinion. From Punjab to Kerala and Gujarat to Assam, we have seen them acting as spiritual advisers and in the process, have they not become Kingmakers or influencers of Govt policies?

Sri Sri Ravishankar or Baba Ramdev, who have done admirable work in their respective fields have easy access to the nation's high and mighty and they both have followers across political parties. Corporate Gaints, Bollywood actors and actresses, diplomats stand in queue to touch their feet and our great Prime Minister, is not indifferent to their lure. By spending over Three hours at the venue, Modi left no one in doubt that his faith in Sri Sri Ravishankar and his Art of Living was unshakable. The fact remains that the PM and All his Ministers dismiss the criticism of the event, while ensuring that entire might of the state was mobilised to make WCF a grand success. Modi infact called the WCF a Kumbh of all cultures as he clearly understands the utility of the New- age Gurus, since both Ravishankar and Baba Ramdev, represent the pulse of two major social groups. Ravishankar is useful to PM owing to his world connections and liberal India while Ramdev delivers to Modi the rural and urban middle class. The fact of the matter is Modi has been a frequent visitor to Ramdev's Ashram in Haridwar and he has been invited by PM to any official function, held in connection with spirituality.
But the PM even deployed the Army to create the infrastructure at the venue. And during his speech PM had all praise for him and his Art of Living (AOL). It has been reported that AOL has been connecting him with many international leaders. But Ravishankarji' s posturing on Indo-Pak relations may be at varience, with that of PM and Sangh Pariwar but MODI allowed the Aol, to persue people to people contact with Pakistan!
Modi 's detractors have already charged the Govt with doling out huge financial and other concessions to both Gurus.We now see AOL is beginning the sale of daily use products like mineral water and tooth paste etc, while Ramdevji had never hidden his commercial interests and Patanjali has taken on well established multinationals.
Only time will tell what would be impact of such gurus in the Indian context vis a vis Modi Govt.