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Art of Living launches 'Volunteer for a better India'

New Delhi
Delhi, India
February 03, 2013
3rd of Feb 2013

New Delhi, February 3, 2013: “Give one hour to the nation every day," was the call given by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader, humanitarian and founder of The Art of Living, for reclaiming India through a spirit of volunteerism and social service. Thousands of citizens, youth, civil society organizations and international agencies joined him at the launch of the Art of Living initiative - ‘Volunteer for a better India’ at the historical Ramlila Maidan today.

Gurudev said that more public participation and responsibility in nation-building were needed and stated “For fulfilling our needs we need to take responsibility. This initiative will discuss the ways in which one can take responsibility and improve society. This is a call to create an India that is clean, safe and strong.”

Talking about the youth in the country, Gurudev said "There is a lot of anger among the youth today and this has to be given right direction."

To combat the rampant discontentment and social ills facing society today, ‘Volunteer for a Better India’ (VBI) will see citizens take active responsibility to create a safer, just and unified nation. Under this initiative, citizens are inspired to give one hour to the nation through any service activity under a range of themes- Women Safety, Voice against Corruption, Declining Child Sex Ratio, Child Rights, HIV and AIDS, Millennium Development Goals, Village Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights, Drugs & Alcohol, Environment, Education, Senior Citizens and Good Governance.

Unicef India and Art of Living signed a pledge to support the girl child. They pledged to work together to raise awareness and change mind sets so that every girl has the right to live with dignity and respect. Delhi Medical association also joined the initiative. Dr. Harish Gupta, President, Delhi Medical association said, "15,000 Doctors of Delhi Medical Association have pledged to dedicate 2 Sundays a year for free consultation under the program 'Do ravivar desh ke naam'."

A legal-aid helpline was launched to provide free legal awareness, advice and mediation services.

Gurudev urged every citizen to be a volunteer for the country.He said that the country had problems because good people are apathetic, and that transformation occurs in society through the transformation of individuals.More than one thousand projects have already been taken up in schools, colleges, slums, villages, through workshops, nukkad nataks, medical camps, education camps, awareness drives, among others.