"Own Your Country", Gurudev to 100,000 youth in Kota

 

Gurudev gave a message of patriotism and optimism to 100,000 youth gathered to see him in Kota.

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Gurudev enthralls youth with his practical spirituality

Kota, Rajasthan, India
January 15, 2017

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gave a message of patriotism and optimism to 100,000 youth gathered to see him in Kota today.

The atmosphere was electric. Amidst loud cheer and enthusiasm, the humanitarian and spiritual leader guided the students from seven coaching institutes in Kota. After an engaging interaction with them, he led the students through a short power-packed meditation.

The event was attended by Hon. Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje made a sharp observation, “All seven coaching institutes are in competition with each other, but today they are all coming together in this event.”

While addressing the mass of youth gathered for him, Gurudev said, “The sign of youth is to dream, do something for your country in any field – sport, art, literature.

Gurudev assured students to have unshakeable faith that only the best would happen for them. He also urged students to stay away from any type of addictions and reiterated that meditation and spirituality is a higher and better intoxicant than alcohol.

“Own the society, the world right away,”Gurudev said, “This world belongs to you. This society belongs to you and it needs you.”

In a lively interaction that drew applauses, Gurudev answered questions on various issues ranging from how to handle expectations from parents to how to handle competition and comparison with others. Students also asked about the need for spirituality and meditation.

“Life is a celebration,” Gurudev said, “When stress develops, we become sad, depressed, and then people can misuse this state of mind. They could incite youth to throw stones and engage in other unlawful activities. Spirituality and meditation will keep you away from negativity.”

This event is a culmination of a six-month-long-campaign called ‘Spreading Smiles, Kota’ which has seen 80,000 students learn meditation techniques so far. The Art of Living launched this massive initiative to help aspiring students, who are preparing for entrance examinations, combat the heightened level of stress. Kota, the coaching capital of India, has a significant student population. Apart from meditation, over 6,000 students have also learnt the Art of Living’s powerful rhythmic breathing technique Sudarshan Kriya.

The campaign that commenced in July 2016 has been led by a team of Art of Living volunteers and instructors who are doctors, engineers and professionals themselves and have been working with the students to prepare them to face the challenges.

After the Utsah event on January 15th, Gurudev will leave for Jaipur where he will be interacting with some farmers and village heads as well as attend an event organized by the FICCI Ladies Wing.

Highlights from the Spreading Smiles, Kota campaign:

• Team of over 20 full time volunteers and teachers has been involved in the same.
• 80,000 students have experienced meditation in hostels and classrooms.
  6000 students have undergone Happiness Program.
• 110 faculties from ‘Resonance ‘ – a leading coaching institute have undergone Happiness program.
• 6 Big musical concerts with total gathering of 14000 students and faculties.
• Government sponsored Patriotic concert “Des Mere”on 15th August which was attended by 800 bureaucrats, industrialist, politicians and institute faculties.

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