Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav attended the Art of Living Global Conference in Bengaluru on Sunday, 25 May 2026, marking 45 years of the Art of Living Foundation alongside spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Chief Minister used the occasion to articulate India's civilisational aspiration, declaring that the country has chosen the path of becoming a 'Vishwaguru' (world teacher) rather than a 'Vishwashakti' (world power).

Context

Posting on X, Dr. Yadav wrote: 'India has chosen the path of becoming a world teacher, not merely a world power.' He described the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — 'the world is one family' — as the core of India's culture, adding that the country has always sought universal welfare. 'When the mind is at peace, the body remains in balance, health and harmony. That is the Art of Living,' he stated.

Also present at the conference were Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who holds the portfolios of Tourism, Culture, and Development of the North Eastern Region, along with other dignitaries.

Policy Backdrop

The Art of Living Foundation was established in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and is headquartered in Bengaluru. It operates as a global NGO promoting yoga, meditation, and stress-elimination programmes across more than 180 countries. The foundation's 45th anniversary marks a significant milestone in its international outreach.

The concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam gained renewed global prominence when India adopted it as the official theme of its G20 presidency in 2023, embedding the ancient Sanskrit phrase from the Maha Upanishad into the country's diplomatic identity. BJP-led governments at both central and state levels have consistently invoked India's spiritual and cultural heritage as instruments of soft power.

Stakeholders and Impact

The conference brought together political leaders, spiritual practitioners, and civil society members from across the country and abroad. The participation of a state chief minister, a governor, and a cabinet minister signals the degree to which the Indian establishment aligns itself with large-scale spiritual and wellness organisations.

For Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Yadav's presence reinforces his government's stated emphasis on cultural and spiritual values as part of governance. The Art of Living Foundation's programmes — including Sudarshan Kriya breathing techniques and rural development initiatives — have a footprint in several Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh.

What's Next

Observers will watch for state-level follow-up in Madhya Pradesh, particularly any government-backed yoga or wellness initiatives that may be announced in the wake of the Bengaluru conference. With Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy also in attendance, central government cultural diplomacy announcements ahead of future international summits remain a possibility. Dr. Yadav's framing of India as a Vishwaguru is likely to feature in the BJP's broader political messaging as the country continues to project its civilisational identity on the world stage.