45th Anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation and the Birthday Celebration of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Place : Bengaluru 15.05.2026

Smt. Mitra Ghosh, First Lady of Haryana
Param Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji,

Distinguished devotees, seekers of peace, dear members of the Art of Living family and all those present!
It is a moment of deep grace and inner joy for me to be present at this sacred confluence — the 45th Anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation and the birthday celebration of a globally revered spiritual guide, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.
I bring with me the warm greetings of the people of Haryana — the land of the holy Gita, where Lord Krishna imparted timeless wisdom to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Forty-five years ago, Gurudev lit a lamp of awareness and compassion in this very land of Karnataka. Today, that lamp illuminates more than 180 countries, touching over 500 million souls with the transformative power of Meditation, Sudarshan Kriya, mindfulness and the ancient sciences of yoga and pranayama.
On this auspicious occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Gurudev and pray that he continues to guide generations as a beacon of Sanatan wisdom. Gurudev has given the world not just knowledge, but a path — a living, breathing spiritual experience that transforms stress into serenity, conflict into compassion and despair into devotion.
In today’s world, where stress and uncertainty often overshadow human potential, the practices of meditation, mindfulness and conscious breathing offer a powerful pathway to inner stability. Spirituality, as Guruji teaches, is not separate from daily life—it enriches our actions, strengthens our character and inspires us to contribute meaningfully to society.
India has always been the land of spirituality where the eternal message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” teaches us that the whole world is one family. The Art of Living embodies this very spirit, building bridges beyond boundaries of nation, culture and creed.
As we celebrate today, we are also reminded of our responsibility—to nurture a society rooted in empathy, service and righteousness. Spirituality is not an escape from life, but a deeper engagement with it, guided by wisdom and compassion.
At this significant moment, I call upon the youth to draw inspiration from Gurudev’s life—to serve with humility and a spirit of selflessness, to cultivate inner strength and balance through meditation, and to emerge as responsible ambassadors of peace, harmony, and compassion in today’s world.
On this sacred occasion, I once again extend my best wishes to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji. May his teachings continue to inspire generations and lead humanity towards a more peaceful and enlightened future.
Thank you! Jai Hind !