Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, and Youth Services & Sports, Satish Sharma today visited The Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru as part of the ongoing celebrations marking 45 years of The Art of Living.
During his visit, Satish Sharma met Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and joined a special Satsang at the newly inaugurated Dhyan Mandir, a meditation hall dedicated to the millions of seekers visiting The Art of Living International Center from around the world.
The hall was inaugurated earlier this month by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit formed part of the month-long celebrations bringing together leaders, policymakers, artists, industrialists, sportspersons, and spiritual figures from across India and abroad to commemorate four and a half decades of The Art of Living’s humanitarian work toward creating a violence-free and stress-free society.
Addressing the gathering, Satish Sharma spoke about the importance of compassion, emotional resilience, and collective efforts in rebuilding communities and strengthening society. Expressing gratitude for Gurudev’s engagement with the people of Jammu & Kashmir through challenging times, he said, “Gurudev, during our darkest times, you stood by us. You held our hand.”
He particularly acknowledged the impact of stress-relief and trauma-healing interventions carried out across the region, especially among children and communities affected by prolonged conflict. “The relief and healing that our children received from stress and trauma through your guidance is, in my view, among the greatest contributions made anywhere in India,” he said.
Satish Sharma also spoke on a difficult phase in his own life and shared his journey of resilience and renewal. Speaking about the future of Jammu & Kashmir, Satish Sharma highlighted the region’s changing landscape and growing opportunities, expressing confidence in its developmental trajectory and tourism potential.
“We are witnessing a period of transformation in Jammu & Kashmir. There is growing optimism, renewed confidence, and increasing opportunities for our youth and communities,” he said. During his interaction, Satish Sharma also referred to discussions around the region’s tourism growth and reaffirmed confidence in Jammu & Kashmir’s emergence as a leading destination in the years ahead.
Apart from participating in the Satsang, Satish Sharma toured various initiatives across the International Center, including the Sri Sri Gaushala, Gurukul, and Ved Agama Paathshala, which work toward preserving traditional knowledge systems while integrating contemporary education and values.
The visit also highlighted the longstanding work carried out by The Art of Living and its initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir over the past two decades in the areas of trauma relief, youth leadership, peace building, prison rehabilitation, skill development, and community empowerment.