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Zimbabwe
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Bihar Flood Relief Bihar, India (September 2008)September 2008 saw an estimated 3.5 million people in Bihar affected by the flood caused when the Kosi River, engorged by the monsoon, changed its course, following a breach in a dam upstream in Nepal. Around 1,600 villages in the region were marooned, resulting in an enormous loss of life and property. The Art of Living volunteers and team of doctors worked tirelessly, reaching out to 5,000 people in the Jankinagar Phulwari camp, providing food, clothes, essential supplies, medical aid and education about hygiene and sanitation in these situations. Water purifying machines were installed to provide clean drinking water to help restrict the spread of water-borne diseases. The Art of Living Founcation shipped 1,000 life-jackets to help the rescuers and assisted the Indian Army in rescue operations. In addition, volunteers conducted stress elimination programmes providing thousands of survivors with much needed relief from fear and anxiety. The Art of Living Foundation provided relief and rescue operations in the inaccessible areas of Jadiabazar in the Suppol district, Madhepura, Batani and other villages in Bihar, reaching out to over 4,000 people including expectant mothers and children. The founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed over 10,000 survivors in JVC Nahar Camp, Banmankhi Phulwari on 25th September 2008. Villagers travelled many kilometres from flood-affected districts of Madhepura and Purnia to hear the talk and meet him. He assured them that the Art of Living Foundation would support their rehabilitation by providing vocational training to women and start a literacy campaign in the camps. This is to empower the women and can help in sustaining the family. has to date conducted relief work worth Rs 100 million (US$2.2 million) in Bihar. It also provided similar assistance during the floods in Bihar and North-East regions of India in 2007. |
VideosTestimonials
M.,
age 26 “I had decided to go back to my anti-depressants before this (The Art of Living) course, but now I don’t need them. I will practice these techniques every single day for the rest of my life. I only hope other people are lucky enough to take this course. It has given me more help than I could have ever imagined possible. Thank you.”
Course participant
“I’ve been suffering from a loss of concentration, weak memory and extreme anger. Now I feel as if something heavy has been lifted from my back.”
Course Participant
“I found that this training of breathing is so useful and its benefit shows when I do it. I feel that my heart is stronger and younger. When I can’t sleep I just do the breathing and I feel energy in all parts of my body.”
Dr. Venus
“I feel peace with myself and have less stress. I think if I continue with the practice, this feeling of peace will continue to grow.”
M. Ali Bankat
"Before this experience, I was sad, depressed and starting to lose hope because of the situation here in Iraq. Now, after only four days, I feel confident in myself – happier, have hopes and dreams again and I feel that life is so beautiful. I have started to love everyone and physically I have much more energy and am able to do more things. I want to thank you very much for helping all of us feel better.”
M. Fahdil
“I had a wonderful experience in these four days. I feel better, like my head is clear and that oxygen is entering every cell in my body… thank you for sharing this experience with us.”
T.M.
“I’ve been chronically depressed and on medication for years. I’m no longer depressed or take medication. Since taking the Art of Living Course, I’ve learned to live in the now… less concerned about the past and the future.”
S.L.
“I feel like I went through a mental shower. Before, I was very angry and very sad about everything in the past. Now I’m just filled with joy and gratitude.”
A.K.,
age 24 “I can’t really begin to tell you the emotional and psychological feelings I’m having now after the course. The peace, serenity, and exhilaration I have got from doing the breathing techniques have me more euphoric than any drug I’ve ever taken, and I know that if I continue this in my daily life I’ll never use drugs again.”
Ramia Sagban
Baghdad "We are grateful to Sri Sri. He is very wise and has a lot of knowledge. And he stands for peace, which is very important for Iraq"
A village women at a UNIFEM center
Afghanistan These courses are the best. I want more of these. I have not slept in years and I have been sleeping every night since I started doing these techniques.
Afghan Attorney for International Law with the Ministry of Women
Afghanistan The course is wonderful. I feel years younger.
Ban Ki - Moon
United Nations Secretary-General We need more than ever the contribution of men and women of faith who defend and promote the human values that bind us together. The values you (Sri Sri) champion, including non-violence, compassion and the sanctity of all life, go to the heart of what the United Nations stand for.
Sri Sri
Amarnath The civil society should come forward for resolution of the issue so that peace is restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sri Sri
Amarnath Wherever Hindus are in majority, they need to protect the Muslims and vice versa.
A survivor of the carnage to Sri Sri
Ghodra Riots We needed to get back our faith and courage to survive, and we got this from the workshops. What Art of Living has done is more than enough.
A reporter from a national daily to some volunteers conducting a workshop at the Jahangir Nagar relief camp
Ghodra Riots I was scared to walk down these roads even though these are familiar to me and I am a journalist. How did you reach here?
Afet Billali
Disabled war veteran, Kosovo I heard them calling me for help. I often jumped from my bed searching for the gun, and afterwards I could not sleep. After the program, I sleep much better, and flashbacks and nightmares have reduced.
S. Dawood Naderi
President, Kayan Construction Company I recommend the Art of Living course to others who are dealing with the many stresses of working and living in a high tension areas. The natural and easily learned techniques are effective in lessening the effects of daily stresses as well as the effects of pent up stresses in the body and mind.
Sayeed Mansoor Naderi, Ismaili Khan,
Member of parliament, Islamic Rebublic of Afghanistan, Former vice-president, Republic of Afghanistan Since learning the knowledge and techniques in the Art of Living course, I notice increased energy, feelings of peacefulness and calmness, improved concentration and greater physical flexibility. I strongly and whole heartedly commend the program for the people of Afghanistan.
Lipika Chandra
a teacher at Lokpuram School, Mumbai 26/11 I am seeing the change in my students. Earlier, they were restless in class. They have been discussing the terror attacks and there was a certain amount of anger, a strange fear in their sub-conscious that it could happen here too. The meditation program has helped ease tensions and the students feel calm throughout the day.
An Art of Living volunteer from one of the affected localities
Mumbai Terror Attacks Although people were evacuated from the area, they could hear the firing and bombing. We are trying to remove the fear through yoga, meditation, satsang [community gatherings] and counseling techniques.
Lipika Chandra
a secondary school teacher at Lokpuram School I am seeing the change in my students. Earlier, they were restless in class. They have been discussing the terror attacks and there was a certain amount of anger, a strange fear in their sub-conscious that it could happen here too. The meditation program has helped ease tensions and the students feel calm throughout the day.
Vehbi Rafuni
Retired director, Association of Disabled KLA Veterans I have experienced great relief from anger, irritability, sleep disorders and depression and have witnessed more healing in many veterans who have attended the program.
Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Yaqubi
Shia leader We welcome the delegation (Art of Living) with open arms and hearts. We welcome you (Sri Sri) as our brother and we are ready to work hand in hand with you.
Nouri al Maliki
Iraqi Prime Minister There are big powers who have big might, but they are not able unite the hearts and mind of people. This work can be done only by a spiritual leader.
Prof. Dr. Peter Eigen
Founder & Chairman of Advisory Board, Transparency International, Germany My NGO, Transparency International, is fighting corruption all over the world, and it has been energized, inspired, and strengthened by H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Dr Bindeshwar Pathak
Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organization, India I have been working for several years for the upliftment of Dalits. Now I have full confidence that with Sri Sri's leadership, my effort is will get new vigour and inspiration.
His Excellency Sir Anerood Jugnauth
President, Mauritius The teachings of H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar provide the world with a roadmap for love, justice and harmony. His spiritual and humanitarian actions are worthy of praise since it is rare to find people so dedicated to the human cause. His legendary charisma, knowledge, service and unwavering commitment to peace, drive thousands of volunteers towards community service.
Shri T. N. Chaturvedi
Ex-Governor of Karnataka, India H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's message, while rooted in the spiritual heritage of this country, distills the essence of various religions that always aspire for the good of each individual and mankind as a whole. Let spirituality pervade our thinking. Let human values be at play in our lives, hearts and actions.
Joe Biden
Vice President, United States of America The Art of Living foundation is one of the India's stars. It has an actually incredible--following that cuts through all religions, cultures and backgrounds, a very, very difficult thing to do in today's world.
Prof. Gesine Schwan
candidate for the 2009 German presidential elections and Dean of Humboldt-Viadrina School of Governance, Berlin. It is admirable with what a gentle resoluteness, with what a calm dynamic, with what full concentration, with what incorruptible kindness, Sri Sri Makes people understand that they can only contribute to peace by overcoming their own inner fear and prejudice against others.
Mr. Ruud Lubbers
Former Prime Minister, the Netherlands I have met many NGOs - representative of indigenous people & they have made it clear that economic development alone does not sufficient. The common future of our one world family is rooted in the awareness that we have only borrowed mother earth from generations to come. The Art of living is not the end, but it is the beginning for everybody and everything. It is the way to harmony.  Focus |
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