Mongolia's top civilian honour for Sri Sri Ravishankar

Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar was on Thursday honoured with Mongolia's highest civilian award for his contribution to Indo-Mongolian friendship through his foundation.

Mongolia's President N Enkhabayar bestowed the 'Pole Star' upon the guru at Soyombo hall in the president's office on Thursday afternoon. The spiritual guru is in Mangolia on the official invitation of the Mongolian government.

His Art of Living foundation has a huge following in Mongolia with even the country's president and prime minister being its ardent practitioners.

"I feel honoured at being bestowed with this honour and I believe it is not just the recognition of an individual but the recognition of deep spiritual and historical relations that India and Mongolia share," said Sri Sri Ravishankar after receiving the award for his 'yeoman service to mankind.'

According to the president's spokesperson, Tugsjargal Gandhi, very few people had been accorded the rare honour till now. "This is the 800th year of the Mongolian state and we chose to honour Sri Sri Ravishankar this year, recognising his popularity and his role in deepening the relationship between India and Mongolia," said Gandhi, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science that accords the honour.