Rome, Feb 8 (IANS) Prem Rawat, founder of the US-based Prem Rawat Foundation who reputedly has a worldwide following, has donated $150,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) as part of efforts to bring food aid to the people of Indonesia.

According to an announcement by the foundation, a cheque was handed over to Francesco Strippoli, senior advisor to WFP's executive director in the Italian senate Monday.

"This donation ... fill a very real need. For the millions whose lives have been shattered by the tsunami, the crisis is far from over. This generous donation will help people rebuild their lives and give them hope for the future," Strippoli was quoted as saying.

Rawat, known also as Maharaji, "speaks to people around the world about the possibility of finding inner peace and contentment," according to his foundation's website.

"Peace needs to be in everyone's life. Of all the things we have tried in this world, there is one thing we have never given a chance. That one thing is peace. If we want to hope for something, maybe we could hope in our heart that peace will come in our life. The peace that we are looking for is within," he has been quoted as saying.

"Born in India, he started speaking to audiences at the age of three and gave his first published address when he was only four. At the age of eight, he started presenting his message of peace throughout the Indian subcontinent.

"At 13, he was invited to speak in London and Los Angeles. Since then, he has presented his message to more than 6.5 million people in over 250 cities and 50 countries around the world," the site says.