THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
BENGALURU, India, May 10 – In a historic convergence of visionary leadership and spiritual wisdom, Hon’able Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi joined Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at The Art of Living International Centre to mark the 45th anniversary of The Art of Living and the 70th birthday of its founder. The landmark celebration brought together one of the world’s most diverse gatherings of global citizens, united by a shared vision of peace, holistic well-being, and selfless humanitarian service.
The month-long international gathering at The Art of Living International Centre has drawn participants from 182 countries. The celebrations convened a remarkable cross-section of global society — global leaders, delegates, diplomats, policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, civil servants and civil society leaders — alongside farmers and prison inmates rehabilitated through The Art of Living’s transformative program. This confluence of leaders and grassroots beneficiaries, seated shoulder to shoulder, reflected the movement’s defining belief that wisdom and service transcend every boundary of nation, status and circumstance. Lord Uday Nagaraju, who attended the celebrations, said: “I have immense admiration for the transformative work The Art of Living has undertaken over the decades. The ashram itself reflects a powerful spirit of peace and service to humanity.”
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the grand Dhyan Mandir, a new international centre for meditation, peace and healing, envisioned as a permanent space for collective well-being at a time when rising stress, social disconnection and mental health challenges are drawing increasing global attention.
Referring to the newly inaugurated meditation space, Prime Minister Modi said,“Dhyan Mandir will become a centre of peace and solace for thousands of people in the coming generations.”
Alongside the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi launched nine nationwide service initiatives led by The Art of Living for the year ahead: Rural smart village centres for integrated village development; the next phase of Mission Green Earth, a major expansion of the organisation’s afforestation work; a Tribal Welfare Mission focused on healthcare, education and livelihoods; Rural Digital Literacy and Child Development program; free education for underserved communities; Youth Empowerment for Self and Society; Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship; an expansion of prison reform program to benefit 60,000 inmates; and nine telemedicine centres extending quality healthcare into remote areas.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Modi linked spiritual well-being and community-led institutions to broader social development. “The realisation of a developed future will be possible through youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible and sensitive toward society. Spiritual well-being, mental health, yoga and meditation have a very important role in this journey. Organisations The Art of Living strengthen the feeling of connection, belonging and collective responsibility among people,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of societal participation in addressing complex challenges. “Society is more powerful than politics and governments. No system can succeed unless people actively participate in shaping the future,” he said, adding, “It is a great pleasure to see that The Art of Living organisation always supports the power of society.”
Highlighting India’s rapid growth and the role of youth, Prime Minister Modi remarked, “Our digital revolution has made India a global leader in digital payment. India has become the third-largest ecosystem in the world in terms of start-ups. Our youth are now sending their satellites into space. The biggest reason for such achievements in the country is our youth and The Art of Living. The Art of Living is helping the youth to overcome the challenges of the modern era.”
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living, spoke warmly about the transformation India has witnessed in recent years and the spirit of confidence that has emerged across the nation. “You have taken steps towards bringing peace in the country and abroad. Today, Mother India and the people of India walk with pride because you have taken India to a new level,” Gurudev said.
Addressing the gathering, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reflected on the global spread of meditation and its relevance in an increasingly fragmented world. “Go to the northernmost point of the world — to Tromsø in the Arctic — people are meditating there, singing devotional songs. At the southernmost point of the earth too. This is India’s heritage and today it is universally accepted,” he said.
A key component of the ongoing program is a global policy roundtable on prison reform scheduled for May 25–26, bringing together policymakers and experts to examine approaches to rehabilitation and mental health in correctional systems. The gathering also underscored the growing intersection between inner well-being and public policy, with discussions spanning mental health, social cohesion, sustainable development and justice reform. As governments and institutions globally grapple with stress, conflict and societal fragmentation, platforms such as these are increasingly being viewed as complementary spaces for dialogue, prevention-led approaches and community-driven solutions anchored in human values and collective responsibility.
Across four and a half decades, The Art of Living has grown into one of the largest volunteer-driven humanitarian movements, touched the lives of over one billion people in 182 countries through breath, meditation, education and grassroots service. Today’s gathering was an affirmation of the simple yet powerful idea that a calmer mind, a kinder society and a healthier planet are possible.
