**Executive Summary**
On May 10, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 45th-anniversary celebrations of The Art of Living in Bengaluru, where he inaugurated a new Meditation Temple. The visit emphasized the role of spiritual institutions in nation-building, youth empowerment, and the realization of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). Key action items include an urgent call for water conservation ahead of the monsoon and the promotion of natural farming and environmental sustainability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Spiritual and Social Values**
* **Service as Duty:** Highlighted "Seva Paramo Dharma" (Service is the supreme duty) as the natural character of Indian society.
* **Societal Power:** Asserted that communities possess more power than political systems and that active community participation is essential for the success of national missions.
* **Global Influence:** Noted that India’s spiritual heritage, including yoga and meditation, continues to influence global institutions and cultural identity.
**National Development and Youth**
* **Viksit Bharat:** Defined the future of a developed India as reliant on youth who are mentally calm, socially responsible, and sensitive to societal needs.
* **Technological Leadership:** Credited Indian youth for leading global advancements in digital payments, space technology, startup ecosystems, and infrastructure.
* **Mental Well-being:** Emphasized the necessity of spiritual institutions in helping youth find solutions to modern-era challenges and fostering a sense of belongingness.
**Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability**
* **Natural Farming:** Urged the transition to chemical-free agriculture, framing natural farming as a spiritual practice to protect "Mother Earth."
* **Water Management:** Stressed the urgency of the "Per Drop, More Crop" initiative to enhance water conservation awareness before the upcoming monsoon season.
* **Mission LiFE:** Encouraged a lifestyle in harmony with nature through electricity conservation, the elimination of single-use plastics, and the promotion of locally produced goods.
* **Green Initiatives:** Called for the expansion of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign to link environmental protection with the philosophy of living well.
**Impact Analysis**
**The Art of Living & Spiritual Institutions**
**Impact**
Recognized as pivotal sanctuaries for mental healing and essential partners in driving social development programs such as tribal empowerment and mental health for incarcerated individuals.
**Action Required**
Continue channeling societal strength into development initiatives and increasingly prioritize environmental issues and natural farming in their outreach.
**Indian Youth**
**Impact**
Identified as the primary drivers of national success and global innovation.
**Action Required**
Focus on cultivating mental peace and social responsibility while continuing to lead in sectors like space technology and digital innovation.
**Farmers**
**Impact**
Farming communities are central to the Prime Minister’s vision for environmental and health-conscious agriculture.
**Action Required**
Adopt natural farming practices to eliminate chemical use and implement improved water management techniques.
**General Public / Society**
**Impact**
The public is viewed as the driving force behind the success of government programs like Swachh Bharat.
**Action Required**
Engage in active nation-building through tree planting, conserving resources (water and electricity), and supporting local products.
Key Entities Referenced
The Art of Living: An international humanitarian and spiritual organization whose 45th anniversary and social development initiatives were the primary focus of the Prime Minister's address.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision for a developed India, described as dependent on the cultivation of mentally peaceful and socially responsible youth.
Swachh Bharat Mission: A national cleanliness initiative cited as a successful model for transforming a government program into a society-driven movement.
Mission LiFE: A government initiative promoting environmentally conscious lifestyles and harmony with nature, highlighted as a key area for organizational expansion.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: The central location of the anniversary celebrations, recognized for its global standing in technology services and spiritual consciousness.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participates in
the 45th Anniversary Celebrations of The Art of
Living in Bengaluru, Karnataka
The atmosphere of Bengaluru,the environment here, is
something quite unique;This city is known worldwide for
software and services, but this city has also taken India's
cultural identity, Spirituality, and spiritual consciousness to
new heights: PM
Seva Paramo Dharma (Service is the supreme duty), is the
natural character of our society: PM
Our Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is not just a government
programme, but it has become a natural part of people's
lives; Now, it is advancing driven by the strength of the
society: PM
The realization of Viksit Bharat will only be possible through
such youth, who are mentally calm, who are socially
responsible, and who are sensitive towards society: PM
Posted On: 10 MAY 2026 2:20PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today participated in the 45th Anniversary Celebrations of The Art of
Living in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Reflecting on the auspiciousness of the occasion, the Prime Minister
described the uniqueness of the morning enriched by the welcome through Vedic mantras by children, the
darshan of Lord Ganesha, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar Ji's 70th year, and Art of Living's 45th anniversary
celebrations. "These are moments that will always remain in my memories," remarked Shri Modi.
Marking the inauguration of the divine and grand Meditation Temple, the Prime Minister affirmed the
importance of such dedicated institutions and extended best wishes to the Art of Living family for their
newest sanctuary. "When resolve is clear and work is done with the spirit of service, then every effort
yields pleasant results," Shri Modi asserted.
Appreciating the distinct ambience of Bengaluru, the Prime Minister highlighted how the city is globally
recognized not only for software and services but also for elevating India's cultural identity and spiritual
consciousness. "Spirituality and spiritual consciousness too have been given new heights by this city,"
observed Shri Modi.Tracing the deep roots of yoga, meditation, and pranayama as integral parts of India's values, the Prime
Minister noted the global influence of India's spiritual heritage and its role in inspiring numerous
institutions. "Today people across the world are influenced by India's spiritual values, and from these
ancient values many institutions of India too have been drawing inspiration," affirmed Shri Modi.
Drawing inspiration from these ancient spiritual values, the Prime Minister recalled how Shri Shri Ravi
Shankar Ji sowed the seed of Art of Living 45 years ago, which has now grown into a huge banyan tree.
"Today it stands before us as a huge banyan tree whose thousands of branches are touching the lives of
countless people across the world," remarked Shri Modi.
Highlighting India's rich tapestry of diversity encompassing languages, traditions, customs, and worship
practices, the Prime Minister posed the fundamental question about what binds these beautiful diversities
together. "The answer is living not for oneself but for others," asserted Shri Modi.
Quoting the ancient wisdom from the Puranas, the Prime Minister emphasized that serving others is virtue
while causing pain is sin, underscoring that service is the natural character of Indian society. "Seva
Paramo Dharma is the natural character of our society," affirmed Shri Modi.
Noting that India's many spiritual movements have ultimately expressed themselves through service to
humanity, the Prime Minister expressed happiness at witnessing the same spirit reflected in every effort of
Art of Living. Extending heartfelt wishes to every volunteer associated with Art of Living's journey, the
Prime Minister commended their dedication and service orientation.
Stressing that societal engagement is essential for any mission's success, the Prime Minister emphasized
that awakening social strength is fundamental to achieving important goals. He underscored his
longstanding conviction that society possesses greater power than political systems and governments, and
that no administration can truly succeed unless communities actively participate in nation-building. He
cited the Swachh Bharat Mission as exemplary, noting that what began as a government initiative has
become woven into the natural fabric of people's lives, now advancing through society's own
momentum.Emphasizing that any campaign becomes successful when the power of society joins it, Shri
Modi stressed, "Awakening the power of society for every such important mission is very necessary."
Observing that active societal engagement enables collective solutions to the nation's greatest challenges,
the Prime Minister commended Art of Living for consistently channeling society's strength in its
initiatives. He praised the organisation's social approach across development programs, whether through
tree-planting campaigns, rural smart village centers, women's and tribal empowerment initiatives, or
mental health programs for incarcerated individuals. "These efforts contribute significantly to the country's
and society's development journey," Shri Modi noted.
Commending every individual present for prioritising youth empowerment, the Prime Minister
emphasized the urgency of this focus given today's rapid global transformations driven by scientific
advancement and innovation. He observed that India is not merely participating in these changes but
leading in numerous sectors, with particular achievements in digital payments, infrastructure expansion,
and startup ecosystems. He highlighted that India's youth are pioneering space technology and
contributing to all such national successes. "India is not just participating in this change, it is also leading
in many areas," asserted Shri Modi .Crediting India's youth for these achievements, the Prime Minister
acknowledged Art of Living's role in helping youth find solutions to modern-era challenges.
Acknowledging technology's power to instantly connect distant individuals, the Prime Minister stressed
the parallel necessity of strengthening people's ability to connect with themselves. He asserted that India's
developed future depends on cultivating youth who are mentally peaceful, socially responsible, and
sensitive to societal needs. He emphasized the critical role of institutions working on spiritual wellbeing,
mental health, yoga, and meditation in fostering connection, belongingness, and collective responsibility,while simultaneously providing opportunities for cultural understanding. "A Viksit Bharat will be built
through such youth,mentally peaceful, socially responsible, and sensitive toward society," Shri Modi
asserted.
Expressing confidence that the newly inaugurated meditation temple will serve as a sanctuary of peace
and healing for thousands, the Prime Minister acknowledged that while society is already fulfilling its
duties toward the nation admirably, he wished to place before them several important appeals for holistic
national development.
Highlighting the crucial role organisations like Art of Living must play in advancing India's
comprehensive development, the Prime Minister urged particular attention to connecting farmers with
natural farming practices. He framed sustainable agriculture as an expression of the Art of Living itself,
emphasizing that preserving Mother Earth from chemicals constitutes both spiritual practice and
environmental stewardship. "Adopting natural farming and saving Mother Earth from chemicals,this too is
Art of Living," Shri Modi affirmed.
Encouraging broader expansion of the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, the Prime Minister linked
environmental protection directly to the philosophy of living well. "Protecting the environment is also Art
of Living," he asserted, calling for renewed commitment to this mission.
Advocating for improved water management practices among farming communities through the "Per
Drop, More Crop" initiative, the Prime Minister emphasized that societal cooperation would enhance
outcomes. He stressed the urgency of this work given the approaching monsoon season, making it the
ideal moment for widespread water conservation awareness. "Saving every drop of water is also Art of
Living," Shri Modi affirmed.
Expanding this vision of responsible living to encompass electricity conservation, elimination of single-
use plastics, and promotion of locally-produced goods, the Prime Minister connected all these practices to
the Art of Living philosophy. He highlighted the government's Mission LiFE initiative, which promotes
living with greater responsibility and awareness while maintaining harmony with nature. "This lifestyle
that balances with nature is also Art of Living," asserted Shri Modi.
The Prime Minister concluded by expressing confidence that the organisation will increasingly prioritise
such critical issues in the coming days.
Speaking at the 45th anniversary celebrations of The Art of Living in Bengaluru. @
ArtofLiving https://t.co/AX7Z2T0gXY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2026
बगलुरू का माहौल...यहां का वातावरण...कु छ अलग ही होता ह।
ये शहर software और services के लए ुनया भर म जाना जाता ह।
लेकन भारत क सांृ तक पहचान... Spirituality...आाक चेतना को भी इस शहर ने नई ऊंचाई
दी ह: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 10, 2026सेवा परमो धमः ...ये हमार समाज का स्वाभावक चरत्र ह: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 10, 2026
हमारा स्वच्छ भारत अभयान... य े सफ सरकारी कायक्रम नह ह ब य े लोग के जीवन का स्वाभावक
हा बन चुका ह।
अब ये समाज क श से ही आग े बढ़ रहा ह: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 10, 2026
वकसत भारत का नमाण ऐस े युवाओ ंस े ही होगा... जो मानसक रूप स े शांत ह, जो सामाजक रूप से
जेदार ह, जो समाज के प्रत संवेदनशील ह: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 10, 2026
***
MJPS/SS/PRK
(Release ID: 2259513) Visitor Counter : 398
Read this release in: Urdu , Marathi , ही , Assamese , Manipuri , Bengali , Gujarati , Odia , Tamil , Telugu , Kannada , Malayala
m