His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide. The icon of non-violence and universal human values, Sri Sri seeks global peace through service and dialog.
Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri's appeal transcends class, race, religion and nationality. Millions of people revere him as their spiritual leader, and look up to him for inner peace and promoting ecumenical values.
In 1981, Sri Sri started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. The Foundation, now active in more than 140 countries, offers educational and self-development programs designed to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. In Europe and the United States, the Foundation's programs are helping inner city youth turn away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol. Sri Sri's Prison Programs have helped transform the lives of an estimated 150,000 inmates around the world.
In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian nonprofit organization that advances human values in political, economic, industrial, and social spheres. In South Asia, South Africa, and Latin America, the Association's sustainable development programs have reached more than 30,000 rural communities.
While his self development programs have popularized traditionally exclusive ancient techniques, Sri Sri's social initiatives address an array of issues such as conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation, youth leadership, women's empowerment, female foeticide, child labor, and access to education. In Kashmir and Sri Lanka, Sri Sri is working to further dialogue between opposing parties to resolve the conflicts peacefully.
Sri Sri travels to more than 40 countries a year to share his message of social responsibility, and that all great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service promote harmony among people, and encourage individuals to follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring other paths.
Timeline
1956, May 13: Born in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, India
1960, age 4: Recites Bhagavad Gita, which he has never heard before
1962, age 6: Begins study of Vedas under his first teacher, Pandit Sudhakar Chaturvedi, a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi's
1966, age 10: Declares to friends and family, "All over the world people are waiting for me. One day, I will visit them."
1973, age 17: Completes his traditional studies in Vedic literature and a degree in modern science
1977 - 1982: Gives discourses, travels widely and also interacted closely with renowned spiritual teachers such as Anandamayi Maa, Tiruchi Swami, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
1981, age 24: Starts the first rural school on the outskirts of Bangalore, India
1982, age 25: Cognizes Sudarshan Kriya during a period of silence, formulates Art of Living course, establishes the Art of Living Foundation in Bangalore, India
1986, age 29: President of India awards the title of 'Yoga Shiromani' (Supreme Jewel of Yoga)
1995: Launches the Prison Stress Management and Rehabilitative Training program in India and the United States
1995: Launches ART EXCEL (All Round Training in Excellence ) program for children between ages of 8 and 13
1997, age 41: Establishes the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) in Geneva, Switzerland. Initiates the 5H program for rural development
1998, age 42: Launches Youth Empowerment Seminar, a program for youth between ages of 13 and 18
2000, age 44: Launches the Youth Leadership Training program to train rural and urban youth to become leaders of social and economic change
2001, age 45: Establishes Sri Sri Centre for Media Studies to promote journalism based on ethics and human values
2003, age 47: Inaugurates the Vishalakshi Mantap meditation hall at the Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore. The hall capacity exceeds 2000.
2003 : Establishes Sri Sri Ravishankar Pre University College and Sri Sri Centre of Fine Arts and Performing Arts
2004, age 48: Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India, confers honorary doctorate.
2004: Launches the first 'Corporate Culture and Spirituality' conference in Bangalore, India. The annual conference focuses on business, social responsibility and ethics
2004: Undertakes the historic 'Love Moves the World' tour of 175 cities across five continents in 12 months.
2004 ? Establishes Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research in Bangalore, India (Offers Bachelor's Medical Degree in Ayurveda)
2005: Government of India awards Bharat Shiromani Award
2005: Launches first international Women's Conference at the Art of Living International Headquarters, Bangalore, India
2005: Launches Sri Sri Institute for Agricultural Science and Research to teach low cost natural farming techniques to the farmers.
Feb 2006, age 50: 2.5 million people from more than 100 countries participate in the Art of Living Foundation?s 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) celebrations in Bangalore. Event becomes largest recorded gathering for peace in history.
Aug 2006: Founds Committee for Peace in Sri Lanka in association with the Maha Bodhi Society. Committee members include Dalai Lama, the Archbishop of Sri Lanka, and D.R. Kaarthikeyan.
2006 : Establishes Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies in Goa, India
March 2007, age 51: Convenes 'Truth and Reconciliation' Conference in New Delhi, India, to reconcile Dalits with upper caste Hindus, and end caste based discrimination
April 2008, age 52: Hosts Conference on 'Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia' in Oslo, Norway.
- Professor Honoris Causa, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, (Hungary), June 24, 2009
- Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Bangalore University, India, 2009
- Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Nagarjuna University, India, 2008
- Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India, 2007
- Doctor of Science, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India, 2007
- Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic Medicine), Open International University for Complementary Medicine in Sri Lanka, 2006
- Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, India, 2004
- 2010 Atmajyoti Award, Delhi, India (Sept. 23, 2010)
- Culture in Balance Award, World Culture Forum, Dresden Germany, October 10, 2009
- The Ball of Peace awarded by The Peace Doves, Norway, June 13, 2009
- Phoenix Award, Atlanta, USA, 2008
- Honourary Citizenship and Goodwill Ambassador, Houston, USA, 2008
- Proclamation of Commendation, New Jersey, 2008
- Architect of World Peace Award, India, 2008
- ‘Light of East’ National Award, India, 2008
- Honoured by United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) for his contributions towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, 2007
- Honoured by the city of Washington DC by proclaiming the week of his visit as ‘Human Values Week’ in March 2007
- National Veterans Foundation Award, USA, 2007
- Leadership Award for Extraordinary Promotion of World Peace and Harmony by Amity University, New Delhi, 2007
- Honorary Citizenship by City of Baltimore, Canada, 2006
- Honorary Citizen of the city of Calgary, Canada, 2006
- Centennial 2006 Medallion by the Legislative Assembly of Calgary, Canada, 2006
- The 2006 International Peace Award by ‘For the Love of Children Society of Alberta Canada’, 2006
- The Humanitarian Award by the city of Brampton, Ontario, 2006
- Order of the Pole Star, Mongolia, 2006
- Peter the Great First Grade Award, Russia, 2006
- Mongolian Prime Minister’s Award, Mongolia, 2006
- Alberta Legislative Centennial 2006 Medallion, 2006
- Dara Shikoh National Award for Harmony, New Delhi, India, 2005
- Global Humanitarian Award, Illinois, USA, 2005
- Mahavir-Mahatma Award India, 2005
- Bharat Shiromani Award, New Delhi, India, 2004
- The Illustrious Visitors Award, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2004
- Phoenix Award, USA, 2002
- Guru Mahatmya Award by Government of Maharashtra, India, 1997
- Nominated to the Advisory Board of Yale Divinity School, USA, 1990
- Title of Yoga Shiromani (Supreme Jewel of Yoga) by the President of India, 1986
- April 25th, 2010, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA
- April 23, 2010, Milwaukee, USA
- April 20, 2010, Denver, USA
- October 29th, 2008, Irving, Texas, USA
- July 4th- 6th, 2008, Edison, New Jersey, USA
- July 29, 2007, Pomona, California, USA
- March 28, 2007, Washington DC, USA
- December 4, 2006, Regina, Canada
- November 25, 2006, Windsor, Canada
- November 21, 2006, Surrey, Canada
- November 21, 2006, Richmond, Canada
- September 13, 2006, Ottawa, Canada
- September 10, 2006, Halifax, Canada
- September 7, 2006, Edmonton, Canada
- June 28, 2002, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- May 9, 2002, Beverly Hills, California, USA
- April 29, 2002, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- January 10, 2002, Austin, Texas, USA
- August 26, 2000, Washington DC, USA
- June 28, 2002, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- May 8, 2002, Beverley Hills, California, USA
- April, 2002, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- January 10, 2002, Austin, Texas, USA
- August 26, 2000, Washington, USA
University Doctorates
International Honours
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day
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