Day 2 of Rising with Kindness youth summit coincides with International Peace Day, witnesses stellar speakers

• Mr. Martin Raiser, SVP World Bank – “Development has to be inclusive for development to be peaceful”
• Shri Nalamada Uttam Kumar Reddy – “We should expect to live more harmoniously and peacefully”

Hyderabad, 21 September 2024: The second day of Rising with Kindness youth summit brought by Heartfulness in collaboration with The Commonwealth, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Govt. of Telangana, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) was graced by Hon’ble Minister for Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Telangana – Shri Nalamada Uttam Kumar Reddy garu as the Chief Guest. Dr. Hamdan Al Shaer, Deputy Chairman of Zayed International Foundation for the Environment; Mr. Martin Raiser, SVP South Asia, World Bank; Mr. Sushil Ram –  Advisor at the Commonwealth Secretariat; Ms. Paula Padrino Vilela – UNCCD; H. E. Ms. Jennifer Larson, Hon’ble US Consul General;  Shri K. Shankaraiah MLA were other key dignitaries to the event in the Divine Presence of Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. Noted filmmaker Mr. Shekhar Kapur and actor Ms. Tanya Maniktala were also part of the event.

The event opened with a spectacular welcome dance followed by felicitation of the esteemed dignitaries. A group Heartfulness experiential meditation session was led by Rev Daaji. Shri Uttam Kumar Reddy garu, Dr. Hamdan Al Shaer and Mr. Martin Raiser also planting saplings at Kanha Shanti Vanam along with Rev. Daaji.

In his keynote address, Hon’ble Minister for Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Telangana – Shri Nalamada Uttam Kumar Reddy garu said, “Today being International Peace Day, I have concerns with situation in the world now. Mankind in 21st century is responsible for major problems on the world, be it pollution, economical degradation, or many species being wiped out. Gandhi ji said, ‘It is enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed’ on the planet. We have to work towards sustainability. Globally situation of confrontation seems to be happening in more and more places in the world. In the year 2024, we should expect that mankind lives more peacefully and harmoniously. But more intolerance for others’ points of view or other’s beliefs is taking place. Heartfulness will help in bringing peaceful and harmonious life for everybody. I congratulate Rev. Daaji on his incredible work. I can assure you on the Govt. of Telangana’s behalf to support your centre and activities. You are a great institution and should grow more and more to global standards and be a landmark institution for spirituality, harmony in the world, meditation, pollution free- world, I deeply appreciate your work.”

Dr. Hamdan Al Shaer, Deputy Chairman of Zayed International Foundation for the Environment shared his thoughts, “’Rising with Kindness’ will start global sustainable stream of positive change. The most powerful lever of kindness is properly understanding as misunderstanding can lead to devastations and distrust. Kindness leading to empathy and self-confidence is the key. I would like to congratulate you in empowering communities worldwide. We would like to see young men and women take the lead to pull the world out of political instability and to promote green life and sustainability.”

Mr. Martin Raiser, SVP South Asia, World Bank also shared his valuable thoughts, “I have seen tremendous improvement and change in the last 35 years. In India alone the infant mortality rate has drastically reduced by 60% with high life expectancy of children now than then. It means that in South Asia there is an enormous economic potential. For ten years from now, 1.6 billion people are ready to work in South Asia. It is a great promise for development in this part of the world. India is currently growing economy improving income 5-6% every year, which means income doubles every 12 years, and in the next 35 years it could increase eight times. It is a sense of a promise. On the Theme of peace,  unless everybody feels that they have a stake in that development, unless they that promise is equally shared, peace will be difficult to maintain. When people are excluded, anger can create violent. On the International Day of Peace we need to remind ourselves development has to be inclusive for development to be peaceful.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness & President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “The second day of Rising with Kindness also coincides with International Day of Peace. Our youth and students are the harbingers of spreading peace in the future. I hope they make the most of the three-days summit here and cultivate ways to be kind and reflect the same in the society.”

About eight yoga institutes participated training the students on yoga session. Students also participated in Heartfulness Meditation, physical sports, played Frisbee, went on forest walks. During the summit, interactive breakout sessions for students were held with focus on relationships with parents, friends, and understanding difficult people, being a supportive professional, and being a Heartful leader.

An enlightening panel discussion involving Mr. Sushil Ram, Commonwealth Secretariat; Ms. Paula Padrino Vilela, UNCCD; H. E. Ms. Jennifer Larson, Hon’ble US Consul General was organised.

In yet another eye-opening Fireside chat actor Ms. Tanya Maniktala and noted filmmaker Mr. Shekar Kapur also inspired the youth.

Interaction with Youth Presidential Award Winners and ‘Kindness Carnival’ were other highlights of the day. An evening meditation session with Rev. Daaji followed.

Towards the close of Day2, the youth felt transformation within and more empowered integrating kindness and compassion.