Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, May 8: A gathering of participants from over 182 nations, online and offline, marks four and a half decades of India's most far-reaching humanitarian and spiritual movement.
Prime Minister of Bharat, Narendra Modi will address the landmark celebrations marking 45 years of The Art of Living and the 70th birthday of its founder, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on 10 May 2026, at The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru.
The event, which draws participants from every walk of life - Government Leaders and civil servants, farmers and engineers, homemakers and CEOs, students and senior citizens, and thousands of international delegates is a unique gathering in celebration of Gurudev's leadership and the organisation's reach.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the celebrations and will also inaugurate the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir, a dedicated meditation hall, along with landmark nation-wide service initiatives including year-long projects in mental well-being, rural development, nature conservation and social transformation.
A global meditation for World Peace, led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and open to all, will be held on 13 May 2026 and live-streamed worldwide.
Founded in 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living has grown into a global, volunteer-driven humanitarian and educational organisation present in 182 countries, touching over a billion lives through transformative breathing techniques such as Sudarshan Kriya and pioneering grassroots initiatives in well-being and sustainable development. The other main events which will be held as part of month long celebrations include:
oGlobal Leadership Dialogues & Summits on ethics in governance, business, media, education, art & culture and civil society.
*Cultural festivals showcasing music, dance and artistic expressions from across the diverse cultures of the 182 countries where The Art of Living is present.
*Recognition ceremonies honouring Unsung Everyday Heroes in over 450 districts across India.
oPolicy and thematic roundtables on more humane, sustainable approaches to systems and institutions across industries and public services.
*A policy roundtable on Prisoner Welfare and Policy Reforms on May 25-26, highlighting best practices and the impact of The Art of Living Program for Prison Inmates.
*BIMSTEC Youth Leadership Exchange, held in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, brought together youth leaders from all seven BIMSTEC countries for a focused leadership immersion at The Art of Living International Center.
As India asserts itself on the global stage, events of this nature carry significance beyond ceremony. The Art of Living has long served as a carrier of India's soft power translating ancient wisdom into lived experience for millions who may have had no prior connection to Indian culture or philosophy.
In this sense, the Art of Living's 45-year journey is inseparable from the story of India's growing influence and confidence in the world.
QUOTES
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji:
"The Art of Living taught people to act with awareness, with compassion, with rootedness. That is yoga in its truest sense. And this is why, when the world today looks for answers to anxiety, to conflict, to disconnection - it looks, increasingly, toward India."
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
The sign of a healthy society is to see a smile on every face. That is the goal we have been working toward for forty-five years. |
