Latest news with #TheArtofLiving
Business Standard
18 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
The Art of Living's Powerful Water Warriors Are Rewriting India's Future
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 12: India, the land where rivers once sang through the seasons, is now grappling with a hard truth: water scarcity is no longer a distant threat - it's here. From villages to districts, swathes of the country are grappling with dangerously low groundwater levels. Rivers that once flowed year round are reduced to trickles or memories. Floods and droughts now alternate like a grim cycle, damaging crops, displacing communities, and threatening food security. Even with the monsoons sweeping across the land, only 20% of our water needs are met by rainfall and surface water. The remaining 80% - for drinking, cooking, farming - comes from beneath our feet: groundwater. But for over two decades now, India's aquifers have been draining faster than they can refill. So where do we go from here? A Vision Rooted in Nature, Powered by People Under the guidance of spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living Social Projects has stepped up with not just hope - but action. Action that is deeply rooted in ecology, powered by community, and backed by cutting-edge science. The organisation's mission is bold: to make India water-positive. And the results, even in just a few years, are nothing short of transformational. With 72 rivers/streams and tributaries rejuvenated and 1,05,050+ groundwater recharge structures built across 8 states - including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh - this is no small scale effort. It's a nationwide movement, and it's changing lives. What's the Secret? Tailored, Scalable, Local Solutions Every drop of water saved starts with understanding the land. That's why The Art of Living's Water Conservation team is made up of experts - retired ISRO scientists, hydrologists, geologists, civil engineers, and IT professionals - who have spent years studying the terrain. Using geo-informatics, GIS mapping, and remote sensing, they design region-specific models that treat both the area and the drainage lines. The strategy is simple yet powerful: slow down the rainwater, let it sink, not run away. Recharge structures like check dams, contour trenches, and recharge pits help retain water, increase soil moisture, prevent erosion, and refill aquifers naturally. The base flow of rivers is sustained, turning seasonal streams into perennial ones. And the impact? Across multiple states, groundwater levels have seen dramatic improvement. In Vellore, Tamil Nadu, for instance, the water table rose by 12 feet - verified by the state's Water Supply and Drainage Board. JalTara: A Game Changer in Farmers' Fields Perhaps the most groundbreaking initiative is JalTara, a flagship project of The Art of Living Social Projects. The idea is ingeniously simple: dig a small recharge pit at the lowest point of each farm plot and flank it with two fruit-bearing trees. This pit acts like a natural funnel - directing rainwater past the impermeable topsoil and deep into the aquifers. In just six months, JalTara can turn struggling farms into thriving fields. Sulabai Chavhal, a farmer from Jalna, Maharashtra, is just one among thousands of success stories. "Earlier, I barely harvested a single bag of grains," he says. "Now, my godown is full." Ramchandra Mandale, a farmer from Shirur, shares a similar transformation. He recalls that a population of 3,000 had to manage with only one barrel of water per week until The Art of Living Social Projects intervened. The stats also speak volumes: Water tables are up by 14 feet, crop yields up by 42%, waterlogging down by 100%, farmer income up by 120%, year-round employment up by 88%. With a 100% success rate, JalTara is now set to scale up to 5 lakh structures across 1 lakh villages in the next five years. Not Just Water, Hope is Flowing Back This isn't just about water. It's about restoring balance - to nature, to rural economies, to people's lives. When water returns, so does biodiversity, fertility, and livelihood. Farmers grow more. Women walk less. Children attend school. Communities thrive. Contributing significantly to this revival is The Art of Living's 4R approach - a holistic model addressing water challenges from every angle. 'Reduce' empowers youth through the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP), equipping them to raise awareness and inspire communities to reduce water waste through mindful usage. 'Reuse' taps into Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to treat wastewater for daily and agricultural needs. 'Recharge' uses terrain-sensitive water structures to replenish groundwater, while 'Recycle' employs natural methods like bioremediation and phytoremediation to restore polluted water bodies. Together, these four strategies form a replicable, scalable solution to India's water crisis. Achievements are current till August 2025, the count continues: 1,74,52+ Crores worth of water conserved 3,45,00,000+ People empowered 72 Rivers/streams and tributaries being rejuvenated across 8 States 1,05,050+ Recharge structures constructed 2,90,64,668+ Cubic metres desilted 7,00,000+ Trees planted along river basins in River Rejuvenation Projects As Dr. K. Satyagopal, former Chairman of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Corporation, puts it: "The Art of Living's ability to mobilise communities - especially women - has been the cornerstone of its success. It shows what can happen when the government and citizens work hand-in-hand." And that may be the most powerful takeaway: this isn't just one organisation doing good work. It's a blueprint - scalable, science-backed, and people-powered - for every village, district, and state. The results are already visible: as the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reports, several once "critical" regions now have "safe" water levels thanks to these interventions. Yet the journey is far from over. India's water future still hangs in the balance - but with committed action and community-led leadership, The Art of Living Social Projects has shown us not just what's possible, but what's already underway. The Art of Living, a non-profit, educational, and humanitarian organisation founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The organisation works closely with the Government of India and Corporate Entities to relieve the country from water scarcity through various water conservation projects. Follow:
News18
19 hours ago
- General
- News18
The Art of Livings Powerful Water Warriors Are Rewriting Indias Future
NewsVoirBangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 12: India, the land where rivers once sang through the seasons, is now grappling with a hard truth: water scarcity is no longer a distant threat – it's here. From villages to districts, swathes of the country are grappling with dangerously low groundwater levels. Rivers that once flowed year round are reduced to trickles or memories. Floods and droughts now alternate like a grim cycle, damaging crops, displacing communities, and threatening food with the monsoons sweeping across the land, only 20% of our water needs are met by rainfall and surface water. The remaining 80% – for drinking, cooking, farming – comes from beneath our feet: groundwater. But for over two decades now, India's aquifers have been draining faster than they can where do we go from here?A Vision Rooted in Nature, Powered by PeopleUnder the guidance of spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living Social Projects has stepped up with not just hope – but action. Action that is deeply rooted in ecology, powered by community, and backed by cutting-edge organisation's mission is bold: to make India water-positive. And the results, even in just a few years, are nothing short of 72 rivers/streams and tributaries rejuvenated and 1,05,050+ groundwater recharge structures built across 8 states – including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh – this is no small scale effort. It's a nationwide movement, and it's changing lives. What's the Secret? Tailored, Scalable, Local SolutionsEvery drop of water saved starts with understanding the land. That's why The Art of Living's Water Conservation team is made up of experts – retired ISRO scientists, hydrologists, geologists, civil engineers, and IT professionals – who have spent years studying the geo-informatics, GIS mapping, and remote sensing, they design region-specific models that treat both the area and the drainage lines. The strategy is simple yet powerful: slow down the rainwater, let it sink, not run structures like check dams, contour trenches, and recharge pits help retain water, increase soil moisture, prevent erosion, and refill aquifers naturally. The base flow of rivers is sustained, turning seasonal streams into perennial the impact? Across multiple states, groundwater levels have seen dramatic improvement. In Vellore, Tamil Nadu, for instance, the water table rose by 12 feet – verified by the state's Water Supply and Drainage Board. JalTara: A Game Changer in Farmers' FieldsPerhaps the most groundbreaking initiative is JalTara, a flagship project of The Art of Living Social Projects. The idea is ingeniously simple: dig a small recharge pit at the lowest point of each farm plot and flank it with two fruit-bearing pit acts like a natural funnel – directing rainwater past the impermeable topsoil and deep into the aquifers. In just six months, JalTara can turn struggling farms into thriving Chavhal, a farmer from Jalna, Maharashtra, is just one among thousands of success stories. 'Earlier, I barely harvested a single bag of grains," he says. 'Now, my godown is full." Ramchandra Mandale, a farmer from Shirur, shares a similar transformation. He recalls that a population of 3,000 had to manage with only one barrel of water per week until The Art of Living Social Projects stats also speak volumes: Water tables are up by 14 feet, crop yields up by 42%, waterlogging down by 100%, farmer income up by 120%, year-round employment up by 88%. With a 100% success rate, JalTara is now set to scale up to 5 lakh structures across 1 lakh villages in the next five Just Water, Hope is Flowing BackThis isn't just about water. It's about restoring balance – to nature, to rural economies, to people's lives. When water returns, so does biodiversity, fertility, and livelihood. Farmers grow more. Women walk less. Children attend school. Communities significantly to this revival is The Art of Living's 4R approach – a holistic model addressing water challenges from every angle. 'Reduce' empowers youth through the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP), equipping them to raise awareness and inspire communities to reduce water waste through mindful usage. 'Reuse' taps into Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to treat wastewater for daily and agricultural needs. 'Recharge' uses terrain-sensitive water structures to replenish groundwater, while 'Recycle' employs natural methods like bioremediation and phytoremediation to restore polluted water bodies. Together, these four strategies form a replicable, scalable solution to India's water are current till August 2025, the count continues:1,74,52+ Crores worth of water conserved3,45,00,000+ People empowered72 Rivers/streams and tributaries being rejuvenated across 8 States 1,05,050+ Recharge structures constructed 2,90,64,668+ Cubic metres desilted 7,00,000+ Trees planted along river basins in River Rejuvenation ProjectsAs Dr. K. Satyagopal, former Chairman of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Corporation, puts it: 'The Art of Living's ability to mobilise communities – especially women – has been the cornerstone of its success. It shows what can happen when the government and citizens work hand-in-hand."And that may be the most powerful takeaway: this isn't just one organisation doing good work. It's a blueprint – scalable, science-backed, and people-powered – for every village, district, and state. The results are already visible: as the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reports, several once 'critical" regions now have 'safe" water levels thanks to these interventions. Yet the journey is far from over. India's water future still hangs in the balance – but with committed action and community-led leadership, The Art of Living Social Projects has shown us not just what's possible, but what's already Art of Living, a non-profit, educational, and humanitarian organisation founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The organisation works closely with the Government of India and Corporate Entities to relieve the country from water scarcity through various water conservation projects. Follow: Like: Post: Message: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Friendship in the age of loneliness: What makes a true friend?
If someone looks unhappy, lost, or sad, don't just walk past them. Stop, spend a moment, and have a word with them. That little interaction could save a life. In this world filled with invisible loneliness, a small gesture of care can make a big difference. Did you know that in England, there's a Ministry for Loneliness? One in five people there feel lonely, so the government created an entire department to address it. But do we really need ministries for belonging? Can't we simply look around and ask, 'Are you okay?' Can't we offer that comfort to each other? This sense of being cared for is the beginning of real friendship—one not based on transactions, but rooted in presence and authenticity. To come out of loneliness, you make friends. But more than that, we need friends in knowledge—those who uplift us and walk with us in wisdom. Let me ask you something: how many people did you go to school with? Maybe 2,000? And how many of them did you make friends with? Just 50? Maybe 60? In 14 years, you couldn't be friendly with 2,000 people. How do we expect to connect with 7 billion people on the planet? We often stay stuck with the same few people—fighting, feeling jealous, and competing. We live in a small well of our own thoughts and emotions. But there is a vast ocean of humanity out there. Why not jump in? Make one new friend every day. Friendliness is your very nature. And for that, you need to be steady, centered, and integrated. If you find it difficult, meditate for a few minutes every day. Meditation brings friendly vibrations from you, and people will naturally enjoy your company. Also, observe how many times you say something but don't really mean it. Yet, when others do the same, you hold on to their words and feel hurt. Hasn't this spoiled many of your friendships? We expect others to see beyond our words, but we don't do the same for them. Real friendship is not about demanding love. When you demand love, you destroy it. Just be there for your friend without expectations. Say, 'I am here for you. I don't want anything from you other than your friendship.' From that space, help will come to you when you need it. But don't make others feel small by always being the giver. Sometimes, ask them for small help—like taking you to the station or bringing you something simple. That keeps their self-respect intact. The balance lies in two things: firmness with humility, and cordiality with dignity. Be soft but not mushy. Be strong but not cold—like well-cooked noodles, soft yet not sticky! A true friend uplifts you. When you leave their company, your burden feels lighter. If your problems feel heavier after meeting someone, that's not a good friendship. So, don't wait for the world to become friendly. You become friendly. That's how we create a world where no one feels lonely. (Writer is a is a globally renowned spiritual leader, humanitarian, and peacebuilder. He is also the founder of The Art of Living foundation, according to the Art of Living)
The Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
Strategic Partnerships by The Art Of Living Set a New Path for Indian Farmers and Natural Farming
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir) In a significant push for sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust (AOL-SSIAST) signed two pivotal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). The signings took place in the presence of Shri Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, marking a transformative step toward reviving India's traditional agricultural strengths with modern scale and strategy. These partnerships aim to build end-to-end value chains in indigenous seed preservation and natural produce marketing, bridging the gap between grassroots farmers and national markets. MoU 1: AOL-SSIAST×BBSSL – Reviving Indigenous Seeds, Strengthening Sovereignty This agreement focuses on the preservation, multiplication and promotion of indigenous seeds, vital for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and food sovereignty. Key focus areas include: • Establishing community-based seed banks and seed keepers • Joint seed research and farmer training programs • Organizing seed festivals and awareness campaigns • Implementing blockchain-based traceability for seed authenticity • Supporting the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) MoU 2: AOL-SSIAST×NCOL – Scaling Organic Produce from Soil to Shelf The second MoU with NCOL aims to streamline the aggregation, certification and marketing of organic produce cultivated by the AOL-SSIAST trained farmers across India. Highlights include: • Procurement and marketing support from NCOL's cooperative network • Organic certification through PGS and NPOP systems • Training and mobilisation of organic farmers • Logistics and post-harvest support • Strengthening of the organic cooperative movement With the AOL-SSIAST's presence across climate-sensitive regions and NCOL's national infrastructure, this partnership is poised to make organic and natural produce accessible, traceable and scalable, domestically and internationally. Marking his gracious presence at the signing, Shri Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, remarked, 'These collaborations reflect the spirit of cooperative strength and grassroots innovation. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern systems, we are building a sustainable and inclusive agricultural model for India.' Adding to this, Shri Prasana Prabhu, Chairman, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust (AOL-SSIAST), shared,'Natural Farming begins with natural seeds. When we restore our native seed wealth, we restore health to our soil, strength to our farmers, and hope to future generations. Honouring the hands that grow our food is not just a commitment to agriculture, it is a commitment to nourish the nation in the right direction.' Join the Movement for a Sustainable India AOL-SSIAST invites corporates, philanthropic institutions and community stakeholders to partner in this national mission for sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment. Together, let us scale natural farming, revive indigenous seed systems, and ensure that every farmer becomes a steward of soil, health, and prosperity. Click to Contribute: About the AOL-SSIAST Founded in 2009 under the vision of spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust ( AOL-SSIAST) is at the forefront of India's sustainable agriculture transformation. Impact so far: • Trained over 3 million farmers across 23 Indian states in Natural Farming practices • Empowered 1.15 lakh farmers in suicide-prone districts • Developed a nationwide network of 2,300+ certified trainers • Converted 56,157 acres of farmland into climate-resilient, chemical-free zones • 100 million trees planted across 36 countries and 26 Indian states • 38.7 lakh Lakshmi Taru saplings planted, known for their medicinal value in cancer treatment research • 2.5 lakh seed balls created and dispersed as part of global reforestation efforts, earning recognition in the World Book of Records. AOL-SSIAST works through grassroots training, seed banks, Goshalas and sustainable agri-models to build a future-ready India. Follow: Watch: Post: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Strategic Partnerships by The Art Of Living Set a New Path for Indian Farmers and Natural Farming
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 7: In a significant push for sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust (AOL-SSIAST) signed two pivotal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL). The signings took place in the presence of Shri Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, marking a transformative step toward reviving India's traditional agricultural strengths with modern scale and strategy. These partnerships aim to build end-to-end value chains in indigenous seed preservation and natural produce marketing, bridging the gap between grassroots farmers and national markets. MoU 1: AOL-SSIASTxBBSSL - Reviving Indigenous Seeds, Strengthening Sovereignty This agreement focuses on the preservation, multiplication and promotion of indigenous seeds, vital for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and food sovereignty. Key focus areas include: - Establishing community-based seed banks and seed keepers - Joint seed research and farmer training programs - Organizing seed festivals and awareness campaigns - Implementing blockchain-based traceability for seed authenticity - Supporting the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) MoU 2: AOL-SSIASTxNCOL - Scaling Organic Produce from Soil to Shelf The second MoU with NCOL aims to streamline the aggregation, certification and marketing of organic produce cultivated by the AOL-SSIAST trained farmers across India. Highlights include: - Organic certification through PGS and NPOP systems - Training and mobilisation of organic farmers - Logistics and post-harvest support - Strengthening of the organic cooperative movement With the AOL-SSIAST's presence across climate-sensitive regions and NCOL's national infrastructure, this partnership is poised to make organic and natural produce accessible, traceable and scalable, domestically and internationally. Marking his gracious presence at the signing, Shri Ashish Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, remarked, "These collaborations reflect the spirit of cooperative strength and grassroots innovation. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern systems, we are building a sustainable and inclusive agricultural model for India." Adding to this, Shri Prasana Prabhu, Chairman, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust (AOL-SSIAST), shared,"Natural Farming begins with natural seeds. When we restore our native seed wealth, we restore health to our soil, strength to our farmers, and hope to future generations. Honouring the hands that grow our food is not just a commitment to agriculture, it is a commitment to nourish the nation in the right direction." Join the Movement for a Sustainable India AOL-SSIAST invites corporates, philanthropic institutions and community stakeholders to partner in this national mission for sustainable agriculture and farmer empowerment. Together, let us scale natural farming, revive indigenous seed systems, and ensure that every farmer becomes a steward of soil, health, and prosperity. Click to Contribute: Founded in 2009 under the vision of spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living's Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Trust ( AOL-SSIAST) is at the forefront of India's sustainable agriculture transformation. Impact so far: - Trained over 3 million farmers across 23 Indian states in Natural Farming practices - Empowered 1.15 lakh farmers in suicide-prone districts - Developed a nationwide network of 2,300+ certified trainers - Converted 56,157 acres of farmland into climate-resilient, chemical-free zones - 100 million trees planted across 36 countries and 26 Indian states - 38.7 lakh Lakshmi Taru saplings planted, known for their medicinal value in cancer treatment research - 2.5 lakh seed balls created and dispersed as part of global reforestation efforts, earning recognition in the World Book of Records. AOL-SSIAST works through grassroots training, seed banks, Goshalas and sustainable agri-models to build a future-ready India. Follow:
