List of Awardees

Vallabh R Bhanshali
Vivek C. Burman
Vikram Chandra
Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Zerbanoo Gifford
Kishore Lulla
H.H. Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj
Zubin Mehta
P.N.C. Menon
N R Narayana Murthy
Rajendra S Pawar
Renuka Ramnath
Mani Ratnam
H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Raju Vegesna


Sri Sri Ravi Shankar


His Holiness, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the Founder of The Art of Living Foundation , one of the world's largest volunteer-based non-governmental organizations.

A non-denominational, educational and humanitarian non-profit organization, The Art of Living Foundation's stated goal is to uplift society by strengthening the individual through programs that create a sense of belonging, restore human values, develop life to its full potential, and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions, and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service.

 

In 1982, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar designed Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing process , based on an cient breathing techniques. Today the Foundation has programs in more than 145 countries around the world and offers the proprietary breathing and p ersonal development program. As of 2006, it is one of the 2870 organizations that are in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and one of the 1533 NGOs worldwid e associated with the UN Department of Public Information. AOLF has also worked in formal consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO): "Development of a Global Health Policy for the 21st Century" and is affiliated with the International Association for Human Values.

The Art of Living's Silver Jubilee was celebrated from 17-19 February, 2006. People from 110 countries participated in the celebrations, and estimates of the cumulative attendance over the three days were as high as 2.5 million or more. Among those attending were A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India; Ruud Lubbers, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands ; Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Ghana; and people of different faiths and walks of life. The highlight of the third day was a public meditation, in which more than 1 million people participated.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the Keynote Speaker on the subject of "Heritage" at India Splendor.