Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's father dies

Acharya Sri Ratnanandaji, father of Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar,died here today.

He was 87 years old.

Fondly remembered as 'Pitaji' by The Art of Living family worldwide, he is survived by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and daughter.

He was the pioneer of VISTA (Value Integrated Services to All) India, a charitable trust engaged in uplifting poor rural women and children in Karnataka, and the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, a well-known educational and charitable trust that operates over 150 free schools in some of India’s remotest tribal villages, a release said.

His special field of research was ancient Indian heritage and its practical application in modern time as well as ancient sciences of medical astrology, yoga and ayurveda, the release added.