Vandana Daftari
On 10 November 2025, after a gap of seven years, the Kashmir Valley welcomed back Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, ji the globally renowned spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation. His return carried with it a renewed message of peace, inner transformation, and social healing – themes that have long defined his global humanitarian work. Over the course of his multi-day visit, Gurudev engaged deeply with youth, educators, religious leaders, and even prison inmates, signalling a holistic approach to rebuilding emotional and social resilience in a region historically marked by conflict and division.
Youth at the Centre: The Edu-Youth Meet and the Pledge for a Drug-Free Kashmir
The highlight of the visit unfolded on 11 November at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, where more than 20,000 students from nearly 50 colleges and four universities gathered for the Edu-Youth Meet. The youth-driven event was one of the largest of its kind hosted in the Valley, an indicator of both the anticipation surrounding Gurudev’s return and the eagerness among young Kashmiris to engage in conversations on emotional wellbeing, leadership, and societal responsibility.
In his address, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji spoke passionately about one of Kashmir’s pressing concerns – the growing menace of drug addiction among youth. He urged the students to take a collective pledge for a drug-free Kashmir, reminding them that the power to transform lies within themselves.
“We will see that Kashmir is free from drugs,” he said, emphasising the role of breathwork and meditation in overcoming addiction. “Using their own power of breath, meditation… one can easily come out of drug addiction.”
He also made a heartfelt plea for harmony and communal unity, a sentiment that resonated strongly with the gathered youth. “Kashmiri youth stand for communal harmony. Life is too short,” he said. “Mohabbat karne ke liye samay kum hai, hum jhagre jhanjhat mein kyon pade.”
But Gurudev’s message to the youth extended beyond warnings about drugs or calls for peace. He spoke of redefining education – not merely as a route to academic success or economic mobility, but as a journey of love, creativity, compassion, and inner happiness. He encouraged students to embrace emotional resilience, reconnect with their cultural roots, and cultivate meditation as a daily habit.
Reconnecting with Kashmir’s Spiritual Legacy
One of the most powerful elements of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar jis message was his reconnection with Kashmir’s ancient spiritual heritage. Drawing specifically from Kashmir Shaivism and the profound wisdom of the Spanda Karika, he reminded the audience that meditation and breath-based practices are deeply rooted in the Valley’s civilizational legacy.
“This land gave meditation to the world,” he said.
By invoking Kashmir’s ancient philosophical traditions, he positioned spirituality not as an external import, but as an indigenous strength that has shaped the Valley’s identity for centuries. This spiritual continuity, he suggested, could serve as a potent force for healing – restoring inner harmony, rebuilding trust, and fostering a collective sense of belonging.
His appeal was both intellectual and emotional: Kashmir’s own wisdom traditions offer tools that can be used to nurture peace, creativity, and reconciliation in the present.
Meeting with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Mirwaiz Farooq expressed admiration for Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji s anti-drug initiatives, acknowledging that the drug crisis represents one of the most critical threats to Kashmiri society. Both leaders emphasised that meaningful peace emerges from conversations rooted in empathy and respect.
A Visit to Srinagar Central Jail: Compassion Behind Walls
In another noteworthy gesture, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji visited the Srinagar Central Jail, where he interacted with inmates who have participated in the Art of Living’s internationally recognised Prison Program. The initiative focuses on emotional healing, self-discipline, meditation, and rehabilitation – offering inmates practical tools for inner transformation and mental clarity.
His visit highlighted the often-overlooked aspect of social reconstruction: the importance of viewing conflict and crime through the lens of rehabilitation rather than punishment alone. “Every human being deserves an opportunity to transform,” he has often said, and his interactions at the jail reinforced this belief.
A Vision for a Compassionate Kashmir
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar jis return to Kashmir after seven years was more than a symbolic visit. It was a comprehensive effort to plant seeds of emotional resilience, spiritual reconnection, and social harmony. By addressing youth, embracing interfaith dialogue, invoking indigenous wisdom, and promoting rehabilitation, Gurudev offered a roadmap for healing in a region long burdened by turmoil.
Gurudev’s message was simple yet profound:
Transformation begins from within.
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