Bengaluru’s sprawling The Art of Living International Center is set to host a month-long series of events marking the organisation’s 45th anniversary and the 70th birthday of founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to address the celebrations on May 10.
The event will also coincide with the 70th birthday celebrations of founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, drawing participants from 182 countries, both online and offline. Organisers said the gathering will include government leaders, civil servants, students, homemakers, entrepreneurs, farmers, engineers and international delegates.
PM Modi’s Address
Prime Minister Modi is expected to deliver the keynote address and inaugurate the newly built Dhyan Mandir, a dedicated meditation hall at the Bengaluru campus.
The inauguration will also include the launch of nationwide initiatives focused on mental well-being, rural development, environmental conservation and social transformation.
The celebrations are part of a month-long programme planned by the organisation, which was founded in 1981 and has since expanded into a volunteer-driven global network operating across 182 countries.
Global Peace Meditation
A worldwide meditation session for peace, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is scheduled for May 13 and will be livestreamed internationally. The organisation said the event is open to participants across the globe.
The anniversary programmes will also include leadership dialogues and summits discussing ethics in governance, media, education, business and culture. Cultural festivals showcasing music, dance and artistic traditions from countries where the organisation operates are also planned.
Policy Dialogues Planned
Among the notable events is a policy roundtable on prisoner welfare and prison reforms scheduled for May 25 and 26. The discussions are expected to focus on rehabilitation practices and the impact of meditation and wellness programmes conducted for prison inmates.
The celebrations will also feature recognition ceremonies honouring “Unsung Everyday Heroes” across more than 450 districts in India, alongside thematic discussions on sustainable and humane approaches to governance, institutions and public systems.
Another key initiative includes the BIMSTEC Youth Leadership Exchange, organised in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, which recently brought together youth leaders from all seven BIMSTEC nations for a leadership immersion programme at the Bengaluru campus.
India’s Soft Power
Over the years, The Art of Living has positioned itself as part of India’s broader cultural and spiritual outreach globally. The organisation is known for promoting breathing techniques such as Sudarshan Kriya and conducting programmes related to wellness, stress relief and community development.
In a statement released ahead of the event, Prime Minister Modi said the organisation had encouraged people to act with “awareness, compassion and rootedness,” adding that the world increasingly looks towards India for answers to anxiety, conflict and disconnection.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, reflecting on the organisation’s journey, said the vision over the last 45 years has been to work towards “a smile on every face,” describing it as the sign of a healthy society.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At a time when conversations around mental health, social cohesion and sustainable living are becoming increasingly urgent, gatherings that encourage dialogue, mindfulness and community participation carry wider significance.
The Art of Living’s 45-year journey reflects how spiritual and wellness movements in India have evolved beyond meditation spaces into platforms discussing governance, rural development, environmental conservation and emotional well-being.
The participation of global delegates and policymakers also highlights India’s growing cultural influence through ideas rooted in mindfulness, service and collective well-being.
