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Born in 1956 in southern India.
Often found deep in meditation as a child.
At the age of four, astonishes his teachers by reciting the Bhagavad Gita, an
ancient Sanskrit scripture.
Starts lessons with his first
teacher, Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
Becomes a scholar in Vedic
literature and obtains an advanced degree in modern science by the age of 17.
Conferred with:
Doctor of Literature Honoris Causa,
Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India, 2004
Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic
Medicine) Honoris Causa, Open International University for Complementary
Medicine, Sri Lanka, 2006
Doctor of Science Honoris Causa,
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India 2007
Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa,
Maharaja Sayajirao University, India, 2007
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His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a universally revered spiritual and
humanitarian leader. His vision of a violence-free, stress-free society through
the reawakening of human values has inspired millions to broaden their spheres
of responsibility and work towards the betterment of the world.
Sri Sri is a multi-faceted social activist whose initiatives include conflict
resolution, disaster and trauma relief, poverty alleviation, empowerment of
women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all and campaigns against female
foeticide and child labour. He is engaged in peace negotiations and counselling
in conflict zones around the world. His expertise in bringing opposing parties
to the negotiating table in areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, Cameroon, Kashmir and
Bihar is widely acknowledged.
In 1981, Sri Sri established the Art of Living, an educational and humanitarian
Non-Governmental Organisation that works in special consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Present in over 140
countries, it formulates and implements lasting solutions to conflicts and
issues faced by individuals, communities and nations. In 1997, Sri Sri founded
the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) to foster human values and
lead sustainable development projects.
Sri Sri has reached out to an estimated 300 million people worldwide through
personal interactions, public events, teachings, Art of Living workshops and
humanitarian initiatives. Not since Mahatma Gandhi has one person united people
of different traditions and faiths into a spiritual communion across the length
and breadth of India.
He has brought to the masses ancient practices which were traditionally kept
exclusive and has designed many self-development techniques which can easily be
integrated into daily life to calm the mind and instill confidence and
enthusiasm. These techniques have helped thousands overcome depression and
violent and suicidal tendencies. One of his most unique offerings to the world
is the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that facilitates
physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.
Numerous honours have been bestowed upon Sri Sri, including the Order of the
Pole Star (the highest state honour in Mongolia), the Peter the Great Award
(Russian Federation), the Sant Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize (India) and
the Global Humanitarian Award (USA). Sri Sri has addressed several prestigious
international forums, including the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit
(2000), the World Economic Forum (2001, 2003) and several parliaments across the
globe.
Sri Sri travels to nearly 40 countries every year, exemplifying his call to
globalise wisdom. His universal message is that love and wisdom can prevail over
hatred and distress.
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