Art of Living to take pledge to nurture human values on May 13

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) In an initiative to realise its vision of creating a stress-free and violence-free world, the Art of Living will bring together people from all over the world on May 13 to take a global pledge to nurture human values in all spheres of life.

The programme would be held to mark 51st birthday of Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. On that day, millions across the globe will take a pledge to work in their communities, their schools and in their homes to foster a sense of brotherhood, friendliness, compassion and commitment to serve humanity and this planet.

The main event will be held at the Art of Living International Centre in Bangalore where over 25,000 people will take the pledge in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Similar events will be organised in all major cities of India and abroad and people from all walks of life will take the pledge at the same time at 1815hrs .

The event 'Yaadein' for the NCR region is to be held at Noida Stadium in aid of " Gift a Future Gift a Smile Project " for the Village and Tribal Schools of The Art of Living. Delhi Mayor Aarti Mehra will be the Chief Guest.

The idea behind the pledge is to make every individual, join this effort by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to create a universal commitment to ensure that human values are acknowledged, honoured, encouraged and rewarded. It is time to reawaken human values in all spheres of our individual lives and throughout this planet, to eliminate the stress and violence that we are facing in society.

Recognising Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's profound contribution to humanity, United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) will felicitate him before the pledge. The occasion will also mark the coming together of many international developmental agencies, governmental agencies and NGOs with the Art of Living to achieve humanitarian goals.

Top representatives of organisations including Ena Singh, Country Representative of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms Chandni Joshi, Regional Director (South Asia) of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Ajit Sahi, Communication Coordinator (South Asia) of United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC), Aigustine Veliath from the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Anjali Gopalan, founder director of Naz Foundation Trust, P Goswami, advisor to internationally reputed NGO Mamta, Mahwish Shaukat, Director of Pakistan-based NGO Maqsad, Yogendra Chowdhury, Executive Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Manoj Pardesi from the Asia Pacific PLWHA Resource Centre will brainstorm on finding synergy with the Art of Living's social projects.

UNI