Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, celebrates his 63rd birthday today (May 13)
Today (May 13), renowned spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar celebrates his 63rd birthday. He is known for his charity works, spiritual speeches and promoting peace and harmony across the globe. He is the founder of the 'Art of Living Foundation' which was established in 1981.
On the occasion of Ravi Shankar’s birthday, here are some of his peace and humanitarian works that helped people unite and work together.
In 2017, the spiritual leader received a mixed response from both Hindu and Muslim leaders in the Ayodhya dispute. Ravi Shankar had proposed an agreement where he had urged the two communities to "gift" pieces of land to each other.
It is reportedly said that more than 60 militants from 11 militant outfits surrendered to the government in Manipur on the eve of India's 71st Independence Day in August 2017. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh then praised the spiritual leader for his efforts in making this happen and "bringing peace in troubled areas". He had further remarked that more than 500 militants were ready to put down their weapons and bring peace in the troubled areas.
He is known to be involved in interfaith dialogue. He currently holds a strong position in the Board of World Religious Leaders for the Elijah Interfaith Institute. Through interfaith summits in 2008 and 2010, he has been engaging faith-based leaders for collective action against HIV.
In 2016, the South Asian Forum for Peace was launched and titled the conference as "Kashmir Back to Paradise" in Jammu. According to Ravi Shankar, about 90% of people in Kashmir wanted peace, but their requests were neglected. The spiritual leader reportedly claimed that only Kashmiris could find solution for Kashmir.
Ravi Shankar’s visit to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 made headlines after the spiritual leader met several politicians and religious leaders to promote global peace. In 2014, the spiritual leader also visited the relief camps in Erbil, Iraq and hosted a conference to address the dire condition of Yazidis and other non-Muslims in the region.
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