CONFERENCE HALL; VARIOUS DELEGATES ARRIVING; MAHARISHI ARRIVING; MAHARISHI TALKING; PEOPLE MEDITATING (SOF)



TRANSCRIPT: YOGI: "I TAKE DELIGHT IN INAUGURATING THIS NINTH WORLD ASSEMBLY OF THE SPIRITUAL REGENERATION MOVEMENT. IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1958 WITH THE SINGLE AIM OF SPIRITUALLY REGENERATING EVERY MAN EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND CREATING A NATURAL SITUATION IN EVERY SITUATION IN EVERY SOCIETY THAT LIFE IS FREE FROM SUFFERING, FREE FROM STRESS AND STRAINS AND (INAUDIBLE OF HAPPINESS, HARMONY AND PEACE)"




Initials JSU/V/JB/SS



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI OPENED THE NINTH WORLD ASSEMBLY OF HIS SPIRITUAL REGENERATION MOVEMENT IN NEW DELHI YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) -BUT HIS MOST FAMOUS PUPILS WERE ABSENT.

MOVEMENT OFFICIALS SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW IF THE BEATLES WERE COMING TO INDIA TO INDIA THE YOGI AT HIS RETREAT IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS.

THE BEATLES, WHO JOINED THE MOVEMENT LAST YEAR ALONG WITH OTHER POP SINGING GROUPS, INCLUDING BRITAIN'S ROLLING STONES, HAD SAID THEY PLANNED TO UNDERGO A COURSE OF SPIRITUAL MEDITATION WITH THE YOGI THIS YEAR.

ONLY ONE OF THE MAHARISHI'S WELL-KNOWN CONVERTS -- MIA FARROW, WIFE OF SINGER FRANK SINATRA--WAS IN INDIA FOR THE ASSEMBLY. BUT SHE DID NOT ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY AND WENT SHOPPING INSTEAD.

ABOUT 60 FOREIGN DELEGATES AT THE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AMERICANS, BRITONS, GERMANS, FRENCH, SWEDES, AND AUSTRALIANS, HEARD A DISCUSSION ON WORLD PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO INDIA.

OPENING THE ASSEMBLY MAHARISHI YOG SAID: