Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the great humanitarian leader. He has strong faith in spirituality. He has a vision of making the world "Violence free." He promotes peace and humanity. He is the founder of the world-famous organization "The Art Of Living," which is a non-profit organization and is lending helping hand to millions of people across the world to live a stress-free life. His followers call him by names "Sri Sri," and "Gurudev" by love. Sri Sri was born on 13 May 1956 in the town Panasam, Tamil Nadu i.e. a state of South India.

He was named "Ravi" after the name of the Sun God and "Shankar" after the the famous Hindu saint, Adi Shankara because they share the same date of birth. At the age of four, Sri Sri recited the shloka of Bhagwat Gita, the holy book of Hindus. Sudhakar Chaturvedi who was an Indian Vedic Scholar was his first teacher. Sri Sri graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore University. After that, he traveled to different places with his second guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, making people aware of Vedic science and setting up Ayurveda center and center for meditation.

Sri Sri started to spread awareness about meditation, peace, Vedic science and spirituality around the world. In 1981, Gurudev founded an organization, The Art of Living, a non-profit organization, that helps people to live a stress life that is, without any worries. The organization operates globally in 155 countries with 370 million followers worldwide. In 1982, Sri Sri discovered a powerful breathing technique, Sudarshan Kriya, when he practiced silence for 10 consequent days on the banks of Bhadra River in Shimoga, India. The first Art of Living course was taken by Gurudev himself in Switzerland.

The organization has spread peace worldwide with its various courses and projects on stress relief, women empowerment, solving conflicts, education for all, etc. The Art of Living has sister organizations which are also dedicated the same purpose. The organizations are: The International Association for Human Values (IAHV), Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM), Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth (VVMVP),Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (VVKI),and Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Trust (SSIAST). The teachings of Sri Sri are for every caste, religion or culture.

He believes in spreading love and compassion to everyone. With the mission to establish peace and harmony, Sri Sri has traveled across the globe to illuminate the life of those who are going through tough times. One of his journeys include the travel to Pakistan in 2004 on "Goodwill Mission" and in 2012 to set up Art of Living centers at Islamabad and Karachi. The center at Islamabad was burned by armed forces in 2012. In 2007, he went Iraq and visited relief camps at Erbil in 2014. Ravi Shankar is currently associated with the Board of World Religious Leaders at Elijah Interfaith Institute.

The social initiatives taken by Gurudev are Volunteer for Better India, NONVIO Movement, India Against Corruption, and etc. The awards won by Sri Sri are "Padma Vibhushan" in 2016, "Dr. Nagendra Singh International Peace Award" in 2016,"Orden de la Democracia Simon Bolivar," that is the highest civilian award of Colombia, "National Order of Merito de Comuneros," "Illustrious citizen by the Paraguayan Municipality," "Illustrious guest of the city of Asuncion," "Tiradentes Medal," "The Sivananda World Peace award," "Crans Montana Forum Award," "Culture in Balance Award," "Phoenix Award," "Sant Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize," "Honorary Citizenship and Goodwill Ambassador," "Proclamation of Commendation," "Order of the Pole Star," "Bharat Shiromani Award," and many more.

He is the author of many books, some of them are:"God Loves Fun,""Buddha: manifestation of silence," "Celebrating love," "Hinduism and Islam," "Narada Bhakti Sutra,” "Secrets of Relationships,""Patanjali Yoga Sutras," "Ashtavakra Gita," "Management Mantras," and "Know your Child." He is the divine agent who has come to earth to bless the life of people with happiness and positivity. Let's join hands and help Sri Srito achieve his mission of establishing peace and harmony globally.