'Anand deep Parva’ an evening of wisdom, music and meditation at Ankaleshwar, Gujarat, Nov. 9

Sri Sri began a week-long visit to the Indian state of Gujarat with a visit to Ankleshwar on November 9.  Around 40,000 people attended the Mahasatsang and joined Sri Sri in a meditation. Urging the youth to play a role in nation building, Sri Sri encouraged the gathering to stand up against corruption and focus on environmental conversation.  Sri Sri said, “Gujaratis have spread across the globe and with them, vegetarianism and our culture has to spread as well. Mere education, just builds concepts, but spirituality awakens the intellect (pragya), which is benevolent for the society. Indian spirituality is the best way to building a holistic personality, nurturing capability to think and act right.”

The next day, Sri Sri also interacted with Art of Living volunteers before he left for the Ider village in Rajkot.

‘Anand deep Parva’ an evening of wisdom, music and meditation at Ankaleshwar, Gujarat, Nov. 9

Sri Sri began a week-long visit to the Indian state of Gujarat with a visit to Ankleshwar on November 9.  Around 40,000 people attended the Mahasatsang and joined Sri Sri in a meditation. Urging the youth to play a role in nation building, Sri Sri encouraged the gathering to stand up against corruption and focus on environmental conversation.  Sri Sri said, “Gujaratis have spread across the globe and with them, vegetarianism and our culture has to spread as well. Mere education, just builds concepts, but spirituality awakens the intellect (pragya), which is benevolent for the society. Indian spirituality is the best way to building a holistic personality, nurturing capability to think and act right.”

The next day, Sri Sri also interacted with Art of Living volunteers before he left for the Ider village in Rajkot. 

The Art of Living hosted thousands from across the globe for Navratri. People from all over the world and India took part in meditation, prayers and pujas led by Sri Sri.

From the college goers to the householders to the corporate, this varied congregation meditated as the atmosphere reverberated with the sacred chants during the puja.

The highlight of the festivities included a unique cultural evening when Sri Sri himself played the Veena and the Harp.  The air was filled with echoes of many other traditional instruments and sacred chantings.

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) felicitated Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Award in Bangalore. The award honors individuals who have contributed to the socio-economic development of Karnataka and commemorates the birthday of Sir M. Visvesvaraya, founder of the FKCCI.   

Sri Sri visited Chennai on a two-day visit to participate in a mega public event, an educational conference, a knowledge session and a convention of The Art of Living’s volunteers from Tamil Nadu.

The highlight of the visit was 'Aanandham', a public event on September 29 where Sri Sriaddressed the audience, guided them through deep meditation and interacted with them.

Earlier, Sri Srispoke at theeducation conference, "Broaden Your Vision, Deepen Your Roots" which discussed the role of education and the demands made on it in the light of accelerating economic, environmental and social change.

Sri Sri was the keynote speaker at the 'Pearls of Wisdom - Overcoming the Tide', event which included interactive sessions with Mr. Ajay Bagga, MD & Head (Private Health Management) of Deutsche Bank and Mr. A. K. Sabat, renowned tax and budgeting expert.

Sri Sri lateraddressed the state level convention of the Tamil Nadu volunteers of the Art of Living at Vanagaram.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited the world heritage site of Machu Picchu in Peru on September 15. He conducted a meditation at the ancient South American site which is believed to have close ties with Indian civilization.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with Dr. Federico Franco, the President of Paraguay.

Felicitated with the Most Illustrious Guest Award, Sept. 14

The Mayor of Lima Susana Villaran de la Puente honored Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the ‘Most Illustrious Guest Award’ in Lima, Peru on 14th September.

At the Paraguayan Senate, Sept. 14

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addresses the Paraguayan Senate.

The South American country further conferred the Doctorate HonorisCausa by the Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion of Paraguay on September 13, in recognition of the humanitarian work done by The Art of Living.

Sri Sri was welcomed by 2000 business leaders, CEOs, Directors and Presidents of the most renowned Corporations in Argentina for the ‘Ethics in Business’ Conference. He shared the Dias with Luis Moreno Ocampo, former Prosecutor of the International Court, in Le Hague.

At the slum of Retiro, Sept. 10

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar walked the streets of Buenos Aires ending in the slums of Retiro to talk to school teachers, ex-addicts, alcoholics and compulsive players, and children who had taken the Art of Living programs. He promised them a collaboration between The Art of Living and the schools in the slum. The work in the slums has been carried out by the foundation for the past 15 years, recovering many youths from the streets and crime. The endangered area of Bajo Flores will also have its first Art of Living center.

On September 9, Sri Sri led an unprecedented gathering of 1.5 lakh Argentines in Buenos Aires, who came together to meditate for global peace. The event, titled 'El PlanetaMedita', had thousands who joined from 300 cities from across the world. Here, Sri Sri urged and inspired the youth to dedicate some time for service activities for a better Argentina.