Gurudev was the keynote speaker at the India Ideas Conclave inaugural ceremony. Jointly organized by the India Foundation and the Government of Goa, the conclave’s central theme is that of ‘Integral Human Development’. The conference brought together social and government leaders, industrialists, spiritual leaders and other thinkers from around the world to discuss different aspects of India’s development.

I congratulate Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the United Nation’s declaration of World Yoga Day. It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Yoga has existed so far almost like an orphan. Now, official recognition by the UN would further spread the benefit of yoga to the entire world.

Taking the call for peace to the middle of the conflict zone, renowned spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar addressed a peace conference in Erbil in Kurdistan, the violence hit province of Iraq on thursday. Pitching for co-existence, compassion and commitment to peace, Gurudev said, “Peace conferences are held where there is peace. I wanted to do this conference in middle of conflict.”

Gurudev will be visiting the relief camps where IAHV will also hold a conference in the Kurdish capital of Erbil on November 20th titled “Protecting Women and Bringing Stability and Peace”. Thousands of Christians, Yazidis and Kurdish Shias are languishing in camps in Erbil, Duhok and Khazir.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today called on government officials in Europe, United States of America and India to address the situation of thousands of Yazidis trapped in the Sinjar Mountains In Iraq.