Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy visited the Gurukul and Exhibition Centre at the Art of Living International Center on Sunday, 25 May 2026, where he met spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and described the visit as deeply enriching, linking it to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Context

Kishan Reddy shared that the interaction with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 'reaffirmed the importance of spiritual consciousness and nation-building in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.' The visit included a tour of the Gurukul and the Exhibition Centre at the foundation's sprawling campus near Bengaluru. He shared four images from the programme on his official social media handle.

Also present at the occasion were Telangana Governor Shiv Prakash Shukla, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and Maharashtra MLC Vivek Kolhe — a cross-section of BJP-aligned officeholders spanning central and state levels.

Policy Backdrop

The Viksit Bharat 2047 vision was outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Amrit Kaal period beginning in 2022, setting a roadmap to transform India into a fully developed nation by the centenary of its independence. The framework encompasses economic growth, infrastructure, and holistic human development, the last of which is increasingly linked by senior BJP leaders to cultural and spiritual values.

The Art of Living Foundation, headquartered at its International Center near Bengaluru, runs educational programmes through its Gurukul model that emphasise value-based learning — an area the current government has repeatedly cited as integral to long-term national development. Such visits by senior ministers to prominent spiritual institutions have recurred since 2014 as part of a broader effort to align cultural platforms with government priorities.

Stakeholders and Impact

For the Art of Living Foundation and its network of educational and wellness institutions, high-profile ministerial visits signal continued goodwill from the central government and can strengthen the foundation's engagement with state-level schemes. The presence of CM Mohan Yadav alongside central ministers suggests potential interest from Madhya Pradesh in integrating such value-based educational models into state programmes.

For Kishan Reddy, who also serves as BJP Telangana state president, the visit carries both a cultural and a political dimension — reinforcing connections between the party's governance narrative and India's spiritual heritage ahead of ongoing political activity in Telangana.

What's Next

Observers will watch whether this engagement translates into formal partnerships between the Art of Living network and central or state schemes under the Viksit Bharat 2047 umbrella. Any announcements linking the foundation's Gurukul model to government education or skill-development initiatives would mark a concrete policy outcome from this high-profile visit. The participation of multiple BJP leaders from different states also points to broader coordination around cultural and spiritual outreach as a political strategy.