India in Action

By Sri Sri Ravishankar

Armed with profound wisdom, Humanitarian vision and potent techniques imparted by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, many common Indians have risen up to become seva warriors. They are bringing in a phenomenal transformation even in the remote and crisis laden corners of the nation by empowering individuals.
India in action is a glimpse of this miracle that is taking India forward

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aslan eReads
• Release date: Jun 13, 2021

Book preview

India in Action

Wisdom by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Inspiring real life stories of Seva Warriors

Copyrights Sri Sri Publications Trust

This digital edition is published by arrangement with Aslan Business Solutions

Digitally Published By:

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Aslan Reads - An imprint of Aslan Business Solutions

Borivli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Email: [e-mail]; Website: www.aslanbiz.com & www.aslanreads.com

Physical Editions Published by:

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Sri Sri Publications Trust

The Art of Living International Centre

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Udayapura, Bangalore – 560082

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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher

Layout by: Sri Sri Publications Trust

CONTENTS

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Stories of Seva Warriors

Mohammed Yaqoob

Neelakshi Deka

Nagraj Gangolli

Dr. Purushottam Wayal

Dr. Madhav Pol

Samir Jolly

3. Making India Unstoppable

4. On the Path of Seva

5. Youth Leadership Training Program

The Art of Living & The International Association for Human Values Transforming Lives...

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Preface

If the River Kumudvathi flows unabated today it is because of the untiring efforts of a watchmaker turned social reformer, Nagraj Gangolli. If a 100 families have a roof over their heads in Tsunami-hit Nagapattinam and a school for almost 200 children, it is because of the tireless efforts of a former head honcho, recruitments, of GE Capital, Samir Jolly. A petite school teacher, Neelakshi Deka almost single handedly transformed Karbi Anglong, the hotbed of insurgency in Assam.

A silent revolution is underway, and these ordinary people have found a rare courage to battle insurmountable odds. But who are these silent crusaders who have worked among tribals and the simple village folk and are catalysts in transforming the face of rural India?

When all roads from the villages are leading to the cities, who are these men and women travelling in the opposite direction? Do they have an extra chromosome? Has the creator crafted them with steel in their spines? They tread where mere mortals fear to set foot. They have hobnobbed with dreaded insurgents and feared Maoists. They stood rock solid in Tsunami hit villages and cities. They came to the aid of the pilgrims when Kedarnath was devastated. People turned to them for help during the earthquake in Latur. They are bankable, ready to go out on a limb and have earned the trust of many a surrendered rebel. Despite being right in the eye of the storm, they are calm, collected, fun loving, have families and live life to the brim. These are not names you'll find splashed across national dailies, but have made a difference in innumerable lives in inaccessible corners of the country. This book documents the undying spirit of these fearless warriors, and the Guru who inspires them all, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

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Introduction

Patriotism or rashtra bhakti is a form of devotion. The devotion towards one's country is not different from the devotion for humanity. One can have love for one's own country and love for all humanity. You can serve the country and simultaneously be part of a one world family.

In a family, if everyone lives with the feeling of 'I, me, mine' or 'what will I get out of this?' will that feel like a home? If a mother cooks only for herself and tells the father, Cook for yourself. Why should I cook for you? Can that be called a home? Similarly if the father earns only for himself, then can that be called a home? We become humans only when we come together to work for the benefit of others too.

When water flows outside its banks, it is a flood. But when it flows within its banks, it is a river. When your emotions get flooded everywhere, the mind is a mess. But when these emotions flow intensely in one direction, it is bhakti. When you have such one pointed bhakti for the nation, you can champion its rise.

This life is like a tree, where the roots have to be very strong and the shoots have to be new. Life is a combination of the old and the new. Our roots are our ancient traditions, culture, languages and our customs; we must respect and maintain them. At the same time, we must be scientific in our approach, attitude and temper. Then we will have a vibrant nation resonating modesty, honesty and values.

In a nation, corruption and related problems begin where the sense of belongingness ends. Nobody is corrupt with family, friends and people they consider their own. What each one of us needs is to expand this sense of belongingness. We must believe that the whole world belongs to us. Every community, every faith based groups, people of all age groups, rural or urban, are a part of us. The feeling of humanity being one family or belonging to each other is essential for us to have an ethical and just society. Though it may sound utopian but we should never give up this dream. Even a tiny step in this direction will take us a long way.

When there is lack of leadership, life becomes devoid of sacrifice, service, love and devotion. That is when restlessness sets in. A leader should have love and compassion. If people are sad, then he should have compassion for them and if they are happy, then love for them. The transformation which can be brought about by a common man can never be brought by someone in authority.

Patriotism does not mean that you are against others. In Mahabharata Lord Krishna never advised the Pandavas to hate the enemy. Lord Krishna said, yudhyasva vigata-jvarah. Fight without feverishness,