Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (May 10) participated in the 45th anniversary celebrations of Art of Living Foundation and the 70th birth anniversary of spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the organisation’s international ashram on Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru. The PM inaugurated a grand lotus-shaped meditation hall and praised the institution’s global contribution towards spirituality, mental wellness, and social service.
The event witnessed participation from thousands of devotees, volunteers, and guests from across India and abroad. The newly inaugurated meditation hall, designed in the shape of a lotus flower, became the centrepiece of the celebrations, symbolising peace, spiritual awakening, and harmony.
Addressing the gathering, Modi described service as the highest form of duty and said the philosophy of selfless service practiced by the Art of Living Foundation had positively transformed millions of lives worldwide.
“In our culture, service is considered the highest dharma. Helping others is virtue, while causing pain is sin,” the Prime Minister said. He added that the seed planted by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar nearly 45 years ago had today grown into a massive global movement with branches reaching people across continents.
Modi said the organisation’s humanitarian initiatives, yoga programmes, meditation practices, and stress-relief campaigns had strengthened India’s image globally and contributed to the vision of making India a “Vishwaguru” or global guide.
He also reflected on Bengaluru’s unique identity, saying the city was not only India’s technology capital but also an important centre of spiritual consciousness. “Bengaluru gives software to the world, while Art of Living gives the world the software of peace and mental well-being,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing pressures of modern life and said meditation and yoga had become essential tools for maintaining emotional balance and inner strength, especially among young people. He expressed confidence that the new meditation hall would emerge as a major centre for peace and spiritual learning.
Modi also used the occasion to call for greater public participation in environmental protection. He urged volunteers of the Art of Living Foundation to actively promote natural farming, water conservation, and sustainable living practices.
“Protecting Mother Earth from excessive chemical use is also an Art of Living,” he said, encouraging people to conserve every drop of water and support eco-friendly agriculture for the benefit of future generations.
In a lighter moment during the speech, the Prime Minister said he hoped to return for Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 100th birth anniversary celebrations as well, drawing loud applause from the audience.
Speaking earlier at the event, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar praised Modi’s leadership and described him as a “true yogi” who had elevated India’s standing on the global stage during the past decade. He said India had emerged as a stronger and more confident nation under Modi’s leadership.
The spiritual leader credited the Prime Minister for initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat campaign, promotion of yoga and Ayurveda, and the creation of the AYUSH Ministry, which he said helped revive India’s traditional wellness systems.
He also referred to the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and proudly noted that both the stone used for the idol and the sculptor, Arun Yogiraj, were from Karnataka.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar further said India’s growing economic influence reflected strong national leadership and claimed the country had risen significantly in global rankings over the past decade.
The programme also marked the launch of several social service initiatives by the Art of Living Foundation, including river rejuvenation projects, natural farming campaigns, and rural education programmes.
The celebrations concluded with prayers, meditation sessions, and cultural performances, while the presence of the Prime Minister and spiritual leaders added significance to the large-scale spiritual gathering in Bengaluru.
