Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengaluru on May 10 to attend the 45th-anniversary celebrations of the Art of Living and the 70th birthday of its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

As this is the first visit of the Prime Minister to Karnataka after the elections to five State Assemblies, the BJP State unit is gearing up to accord a reception on his arrival at the HAL Airport for the party’s victory in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry.

Public address

The party top leaders held a meeting in Bengaluru on May 5 to take stock of the preparations. Leader of Opposition R. Ashok told the press here that about 15,000 people are expected to participate in the programme, where the Prime Minister will deliver a 30-minute speech.

After the public reception, the Prime Minister will go to the Art of Living International Centre campus.

Programmes at ashram

According to a press release from the ashram, the Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the celebrations and also inaugurate the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir, a dedicated meditation hall, and nation-wide service initiatives, including year-long projects in mental well-being, rural development, nature conservation, and social transformation.

As part of these celebrations, a global meditation for World Peace, led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, will be held on May 13.

The other events which will be held as part of month-long celebrations by the ashram include global leadership dialogues and summits on ethics in governance, business, media, education, art & culture and civil society; cultural festivals showcasing music, dance, and artistic expressions from across the diverse cultures of 182 countries where The Art of Living has a presence, according to the press release.

The other programmes include policy and thematic round-tables on more humane, sustainable approaches to systems and institutions across industries and public services, and a policy roundtable on prisoner welfare.