The Art of Living Foundation, which has become a global organisation with branches in more than 150 countries, will mark its 30th anniversary with colour celebrations in Berlin in July.
The festivities, which will include music, dance, yoga and Art of Living courses, will also commemorate the 55th Birthday of Founder Sri Ravi Shankar, known to his millions of disciples as ‘His Holiness.’
The Foundation’s New Zealand President Rashmi Bhatia said the Berlin event will incorporate a global expo and a Festival highlighting Indian culture.
“More than 70,000 people from around the world will attend the Festival and experience the cuisine, culture, music and heritage of countries from across the American, Asian, Australian, European Continents. The Festival will incorporate the Fifth International Women’s Conference, the World Youth Conference and the Living Human Values Conference,” she said.
Academics, business leaders, government officials, community and spiritual leaders, celebrities and others will attend the festivities to spread the message of peace, unity and harmony in diversity, she said.
Established in 1981 by Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation is the largest educational, humanitarian and not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation in the world, Ms Bhatia said.
Among the most successful activities of the Foundation are its ‘Art of Living’ courses that emphasise the importance of stress-free life, achieved through meditation, yoga and breathing techniques.
“The Foundation has thousands of volunteers who provide diverse services including education and community programmes, conflict resolution, disaster relief, sustainable rural development and youth development,” Ms Bhatia said.
She said the New Zealand branch celebrated the 55th Birthday of Mr Ravi Shankar at the Bay Field School Hall in Auckland on May 13, 2011.
The Youth Wing of the Organisation put together a programme of dance, drama, gymnastics and other items, she said.
Volunteer Jasdeep Sandhu shaved his head clean to raise money for Child Cancer Foundation.
“He has thus far collected more than $1000. Donations are still welcome,” she said.
