The ‘Big Ideas for a Better India’ event brought together key influencers of the NRI community from across the United States. Over 100 Indian leaders from 25 major cities discussed solutions directed towards institutional and technological co-operation in India. Participation in the electoral process in the Indian sub-continent was another area of emphasis.

“…The Christmas trees bears gifts for everybody. All that you are given in life is for everyone…all your talents, all that you have been bestowed with, it is all meant to help others. So serve, smile and celebrate!”

On October 26th 2013, Gurudev met with the families of the riot victims in Muzaffarnagar. He emphasized the need for restoring mutual trust among the communities. “Peace and harmony is needed to ensure progress and development,” he said.

Gurudev was embraced with equal anticipation by people from either side of the hostile communal conflict.

A soul-stirring choir of 12,000 sang the Jnanappana, a traditional devotional poem from Kerala, at the Independence Day celebrations on August 15th hosted by The Art of Living at its International Centre in Bengaluru, in the presence of Gurudev .