After vipassana, Kejriwal returns to politics

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday ended a 10-day meditation course a day in advance and said "he's energised to overcome challenges".

During the meditation that started on August 2, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader had no access to newspapers or telephones.

"I am feeling peaceful and energised. This will surely help me to meet the challenges ahead," Kejriwal told reporters here.

He refused to comment on a Delhi High Court ruling giving primacy to the Lt. Governor in the affairs of the administration in the national capital.

"I have no information as I just came out of the vipassana centre. I will study the orders before commenting on it," he said.

Kejriwal also refused to comment on Punjab politics.

He later tweeted: "Returning back from 10-day vipassana course. Feeling very fresh and energetic."

After spending sometime in the Circuit House here, where a large number of party activists were gathered to greet him, Kejriwal left for Chandigarh by road.

Flights on the Dharamsala-Delhi route have been grounded due to heavy rains.

Kejriwal reached the Himachal Vipassana Centre at Dharamkot -- a tourist spot on the suburbs and close to the Dalai Lama's abode - on August 1.

Official sources had said earlier that Kejriwal would return to Delhi on August 12.

Vipassana is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques.

During the course, Kejriwal stayed without his staff and nobody was allowed to meet him, an official told IANS.

Kejriwal's day began at 4 a.m. and he retired at 9.30 p.m. In between, there were meditation sessions.

The participants were served simple meals, comprising rice and dal. And there was no access to newspapers, television and phone.

According to the centre, the 10-day course is an introductory one to vipassana where the technique is taught step-by-step every day.

The Congress government in the state extended him the status of a state guest and he was received by Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan.

--IANS

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