Bengaluru, 10 May (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that any campaign succeeds only when it is backed by the strength of society. He said that society is more powerful than politics and even governments, and that no government can truly succeed unless society itself actively participates in nation-building.

The Prime Minister was addressing the 45th anniversary of The Art of Living and the 70th birthday celebrations of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bengaluru. He inaugurated the newly built Dhyan Mandir at the Art of Living International Center and launched the organisation’s nationwide service initiatives related to mental health, rural development, nature conservation and social transformation.

In his address, PM Modi said that the morning had brought a different kind of feeling. He said that the welcome by children chanting Vedic hymns, the darshan of Lord Ganesha, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 70 years, and 45 years of The Art of Living would remain etched in his memory forever. The Prime Minister said that while Gurudev may have spoken from the stage in a way that people might have taken as praise, it felt to him as though he had been assigned even more work. He added, “When your centenary celebration happens, I will come again.”

PM Modi said that the inauguration of the grand and divine Dhyan Mandir symbolised the fact that when one’s resolve is clear and work is done with a spirit of service, every effort yields a fruitful result. He said, “Whatever else may happen or not, we are all under the shade of the lotus. With Gurudev’s blessings, the lotus’s shade will take the country to new heights.”

The Prime Minister said that Bengaluru is known globally for software and services, but the city has also given new height to India’s spiritual consciousness and cultural identity. He said that today the entire world is being influenced by India’s spiritual values, and it was inspired by these ancient traditions that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar sowed the seed of The Art of Living 45 years ago, which has now grown into a vast banyan tree touching countless lives.

He said that India is a land of diversity, with many languages, traditions, customs and forms of worship. The core force that binds these diversities together is the principle of “not living for oneself, but for others.” PMModi said that the stream of values passed down through generations inspires society, and India’s many spiritual movements have expressed themselves through service to humanity.

Citing the Swachh Bharat campaign, PM Modi said it is no longer merely a government programme, but has become a natural part of people’s lives and is moving forward through the strength of society. He said that when society comes together, even the country’s biggest challenges can be resolved collectively.

The Prime Minister praised The Art of Living’s programmes for women, tribal communities, rural populations and prisoners’ mental health. He said the organisation has given special importance to social concerns in its initiatives. He also appreciated its focus on youth and said that science and technology are opening new doors of possibility. India is not only participating in change but is also leading in several areas. He said India’s digital revolution has made the country a global leader in digital payments, the country has become the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem, and Indian youth are sending their satellites into space.

PM Modi said that technology today connects people with the world in an instant, but connecting with oneself is equally important, and that is possible through India’s great spiritual traditions. He said India will be built by young people who are mentally calm, socially responsible and sensitive to society. He added that centres working on meditation and mental health will become major centres of healing in the years ahead.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to promote natural farming, saying that not only humans but Mother Earth too needs “natural healing.” He called for greater efforts to connect farmers with natural farming. Urging people to conserve water, save electricity and distance themselves from single-use plastic, he said these are not just campaigns but part of a responsible and aware lifestyle. He said that ‘Mission LiFE’ is also, in a sense, a manifestation of “Art of Living,” as it inspires people to live in balance with nature.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar