Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Sunday, 10 May lauded what he described as a "remarkable and transformational change" India has undergone over the past decade, crediting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reshaping the country's global identity. His remarks came during the inauguration of the Dhyan Mandir at the Art of Living Foundation International Centre in Bengaluru.

What Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Said

Addressing the gathering, the spiritual leader drew a sweeping arc from domestic cleanliness drives to geopolitical standing. "From Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan to elimination of red terror, the country has found a new identity in the global growth index besides improving lives and livelihoods at the ground level. The country is cleaner, beautiful, safer and peaceful today," he said.

He also invoked a shift in India's global posture. "For decades, the foreign powers used to laugh at India and believed that such generational change would never happen here. But, today, India has become a nation which believes in giving rather than accepting," Sri Sri Ravi Shankar added.

Ram Temple and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

The spiritual leader specifically praised the Modi government's role in constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, referring to the years when, in his words, "Shri Ram resided in a tent." "You removed all the obstacles and took the initiative to build a grand temple. You paid attention to every intricate carving and every aspect of the work, giving India a magnificent Shri Ram Temple," he said, addressing the Prime Minister directly.

He further extolled Modi, saying: "You are a great son of Mother India, and a beloved and respected figure to us all. You have impacted every facet of crores of citizens. You have vigorously championed India's ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) on the global stage and have elevated the nation to a distinct level of excellence—a feat of which we are immensely proud."

The Occasion: Dhyan Mandir and 45th Anniversary

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the newly built Dhyan Mandir to mark the 45th anniversary of the Art of Living Foundation and the 70th birthday of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The event drew scores of spiritual leaders and dignitaries, with Modi highlighting the role of spirituality, youth empowerment, and social participation in nation-building.

Modi also extended birthday wishes to the spiritual leader, saying: "Today is Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 70th birthday. When the centenary celebrations take place, I will come again to join them."

Context and Significance

The inauguration of the Dhyan Mandir represents a significant milestone for one of India's largest spiritual organisations, which claims a global following across more than 180 countries. The event's political undertone — with a sitting Prime Minister attending and receiving effusive praise from a prominent religious figure — is notable ahead of an election season. This comes amid a broader pattern of the Modi government cultivating visible endorsements from spiritual and religious leaders across traditions. Whether such associations translate into political capital or invite scrutiny over the separation of spiritual and state affairs remains a subject of ongoing public debate.