Gurudev was the keynote speaker at the India Ideas Conclave inaugural ceremony. Jointly organized by the India Foundation and the Government of Goa, the conclave’s central theme is that of ‘Integral Human Development’. The conference brought together social and government leaders, industrialists, spiritual leaders and other thinkers from around the world to discuss different aspects of India’s development.

I congratulate Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the United Nation’s declaration of World Yoga Day. It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Yoga has existed so far almost like an orphan. Now, official recognition by the UN would further spread the benefit of yoga to the entire world.

प्रसिद्ध आध्यात्मिक नेता और आर्ट ऑफ़ लिविंग के संस्थापक गुरुदेव श्री श्री रवि शंकर जी ने कुर्दिस्तान के एरबिल जो कि इराक का बेहद हिंसा प्रभावित क्षेत्र है, में गुरुवार को एक शांति सम्मेलन को संबोधित करते हुए मध्य पूर्व के संघर्ष क्षेत्र में शांति का आह्वान किया। सह-अस्तित्व, करुणा और शांति के लिए प्रतिबद्धता की बात करते हुए श्री श्री ने कहा, “सामान्‍यत: जहां शांति है वहीं शांति सम्मेलन आयोजित किए जाते हैं। पर मैं संघर्ष के बीच ये सम्मेलन करना चाहता था।”

Gurudev will be visiting the relief camps where IAHV will also hold a conference in the Kurdish capital of Erbil on November 20th titled “Protecting Women and Bringing Stability and Peace”. Thousands of Christians, Yazidis and Kurdish Shias are languishing in camps in Erbil, Duhok and Khazir.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today called on government officials in Europe, United States of America and India to address the situation of thousands of Yazidis trapped in the Sinjar Mountains In Iraq.