After nearly 7 years, popular spiritual leader and founder of the non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization The Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will be coming to Coimbatore to conduct a massive public meditation program and an exclusive puja in Coimbatore on March 2nd and 3rd at CODISSIA.

Representatives from the organization's Core Committee and the event's Organizing Team convened a press conference here on Wednesday to announce the event titled ‘Coimbatore Meditates with Gurudev’. They conveyed that the event will also see Sri Sri Ravi Shankar launching the Drug Free India campaign in Coimbatore.

The objectives of holding these events are to introduce meditation as an intervention to stress and anxiety among people, and also to create massive awareness about impact of drugs on society.

Anand Purushothaman, Program Coordinator, Coimbatore Meditates with Gurudev said that on the first day (March 2nd), there will be a massive 'Music, Wisdom, and Meditation' session at Codissia Grounds, Coimbatore from 6 p.m. onwards.

“This event is open for all. Students from 30+ colleges in and around Coimbatore will be taking part along with the public. All participants can involve in meditation activities that will be guided by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself. The DFI campaign will also be launched on March 2nd by Gurudev,” he added.

“Drug abuse is alarmingly increasing. Gurudev has said that if we do not handle this matter now, we could lose a generation to it. Their future could be lost. He launched this campaign in Punjab first. This campaign involves awareness session and other meditation programs to the students,” he said.

“Students unfortunately today are getting exposed to drugs like never before. Many institutions have reached out to us, and sought our support in helping their students break free from drug addiction. Even girl students belonging to 7th grade in a private school in Palladam, Tirupur have become addicted to drugs. Incidents like these are widespread and many,” said Sasi Rekha, Core-committee member, The Art of Living.

“Students know that it is not right to take drugs but they are tempted to try. When they do pranayama and meditation, it will calm their mind and help them have clear thoughts. Their mental strength to resist temptations will increase,” she added.

As The Art of Living has signed a MoU with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, to work on the Government initiative of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), it is planning on conducting a 2 year long program that will positively impact 2 lakh students from schools to colleges across Coimbatore and various districts in Tamil Nadu.

The students who attend the event on March 2nd will take a pledge administered by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and vow that they will not fall victim to drugs. Later, various programs will be held for them so that the impact and resilience will be great.

On the second day (March 3rd), Maha Rudra Puja ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. in CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex- Hall D. Entry to this event is by donation only.

Suresh Kumar, Apex Member, Ramesh Babu, State-Teacher Coordinator and Mohana Sundari, Trustee, The Art of Living – South India attended the press conference.

For more info, visit : https://www.coimbatoremeditates.com