At a time when Indian youth are grappling with mental health challenges and looking for long lasting answers to inner peace and real happiness, on the occasion of the National Youth Day , over 30,000 Indian youth came together for a collective moment of stillness and reflection led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as part of the India Youth Meditates with Gurudev event.
At The Art of Living International Center, the experience unfolded more intimately as over 1,500 young participants from more than 600 cities and eminent institutions including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, BHU, IISc Bengaluru, Jamia Millia Islamia, AIIMS Delhi,Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, among others gathered in Gurudev’s presence for a week-long spiritual immersion shaped by long hours of silence, advanced meditations, soulful singing, laughter, wit and wisdom.
Speaking to the youth, Gurudev reflected on the spirit that defines young minds today.
“Youth is ready to take on challenges. Not all situations are favorable, but we don’t see unfavorable situations as problems, we take them as challenges and move forward knowing we will succeed. That is the spirit of youth, to move on with confidence.”
In his address, Gurudev quipped, “Meditation should not be taken too seriously. Meditators should have a big smile.” He sadi, “Dhyan means to be happy. To be happy from within is dhyan.”
For many attendees, it was their first sustained experience of inner stillness in an age defined by constant stimulation. The diversity of the gathering reflected the breadth of young India today. Participants travelled from Kashmir, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Tripura, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Uttarakhand, including large representations from the North East.
The gathering also reflected the growing global footprint of The Art of Living’s youth initiatives, which are now conducted in over 10,000 colleges worldwide and have reached more than 100 million young people. These programs are offered at leading universities such as Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Columbia, equipping students with practical tools in breathwork, meditation, happier and healthier living to build emotional resilience, clarity and leadership.
A highlight of the celebrations was the Inspirational Youth Trailblazers of India Awards, instituted to recognise young individuals whose courage, creativity and commitment have contributed meaningfully to society. The awardees represented a dynamic cross-section of service, sport, entrepreneurship, arts, sustainability and public life.
Among those honoured was Lieutenant Colonel Rishi Rajalakshmi of the Indian Army from Kerala, recognised for exceptional bravery during a counter-terror operation in Kashmir in 2017, where he continued to lead despite sustaining severe facial injuries. He was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry. Indian international cricketer Sai Sudarshan was felicitated for excellence in sport and his composed performances under pressure, emerging as a role model for discipline and focus.
Entrepreneur Rishikesh S., Founder and CEO of Rapido, was honoured for building India’s largest bike-taxi platform into a USD 2 billion unicorn, inspiring young entrepreneurs through innovation and resilience. Srimati Bhanumati Narasimhanji, humanitarian and spiritual leader, was felicitated for over four decades of service in women’s welfare, education and social upliftment, spreading inner wellbeing and compassion in society.
Other awardees included Nikhil Chandwani, author and sustainability entrepreneur, recognised for pioneering clean-energy solutions through agro-waste biopellets and impactful social initiatives, and Gnanasaravananji, natural farmer from Kerala, honoured for advancing organic and regenerative farming and training over 15,000 farmers. Filmmaker and cinematographer Bahul Ramesh was recognised for excellence in cinema and distinctive visual storytelling, while Girish R. Gowda, boxer and cancer survivor, was awarded for exceptional resilience and sporting excellence.
Actor and social worker Sanchita Shettyji was honoured for her work in cinema and social initiatives, particularly in health awareness and child welfare. Special mentions were given to filmmaker Rahul Riji Nairji for experimental and socially relevant storytelling, and to Ninga Thojam Soni from Manipur, who became the first woman from her state to complete the Audax India Grand Honor in endurance cycling.
As the celebrations concluded, the defining image of National Youth Day at The Art of Living remained that of hundreds of young people sitting together in silence, immersed in soulful musi, meditation and reflection, ending the evening with laughter, happiness and dance. It was a reminder that when youth are given space to pause and look inward, confidence, clarity, joy and a sustained strength comes up in them. Gurudev’s work, which has touched over 80 crore lives across 182 countries, continues to offer that space to a generation ready to face the world with steadiness and purpose.
