Vyakti Vikas Kendra India

Vyakti Vikas Kendra India Art Of Living, through its JalTara initiative, is dedicated to addressing India's water crisis. Operating in over 50 villages, this programme has installed more than 45,500 recharge structures and planted 40,000 trees across 1,70,000 acres in Maharashtra in the past two years. The key focus is combatting groundwater depletion by creating 'One Recharge Structure Per Acre' - deep pits, 6 feet in depth and 4 feet in diameter, strategically placed within arable land. These structures, each flanked by fruit-bearing trees, allow rainwater to bypass impermeable topsoil and recharge underground aquifers. In Jalna, Maharashtra, the initiative has successfully elevated water levels in wells, thanks to the collaboration of dedicated farmers and the Art of Living team. This scalable approach is vital in transforming impervious earth into an absorbent sponge to ensure water security. Consider supporting this noble cause by making a donation.

The Art of Living, under the guidance of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has taken a proactive role in addressing India's dire water crisis through its River Rejuvenation Project. This initiative, which commenced in 2013, aims to revive 70 ailing rivers across four states (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala). By employing a holistic, sustainable, and community-driven approach, it has achieved significant success. Its strategy involves desilting river beds, tree plantation, boulder checks to reduce erosion, recharge wells, and bore wells for sustainable groundwater replenishment. It has also implemented water pools and encouraged a shift in cropping patterns towards more water-efficient and natural farming. The results are the revival of numerous rivers and smaller water bodies. This vital work aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 6 (Water and Sanitation) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

The Art of Living's Sri Sri Natural Farming Project is addressing the challenges faced by Indian farmers, including debt and crop failures due to expensive chemical inputs. This initiative aims to revive traditional, environmentally friendly, and sustainable farming techniques that promise reduced costs and increased productivity. Through a multi-pronged approach involving training programmes conducted by The Art of Living, farmers are taught about indigenous seeds, organic fertilizers, and pesticides, alongside practical demonstrations. The project supports farmers through their transition to natural farming and offers a platform, Kissan Manch, to collectively address their issues. Additionally, it provides direct markets to ensure fair prices for their produce. This effort aligns with the need for a new agricultural revolution that benefits both farmers and the ecosystem.

The education projects by The Art of Living are underpinned by a well-defined strategy that revolves around three core pillars. Firstly, it engages with the community by sensitizing parents and community influencers to the importance of education, ensuring a strong bond with the community and reducing dropout rates. Secondly, it provides free and value-based education to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, breaking down social and cultural barriers that hinder access to education. Thirdly, The Art of Living places a significant emphasis on combining formal education with essential life skills such as confidence-building, leadership, and interpersonal skills. It also incorporates spiritual tools like meditation techniques and a foundation of human values, nurturing the holistic development of children and strengthening family values while promoting progressive attitudes within society.

The Art of Living focuses on a comprehensive skill development program aimed at uplifting the nation. Its approach includes training underprivileged youth in urban and semi-urban areas, equipping them with vocational skills that lead to employment and income opportunities. Additionally, the organisation empowers women from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds by providing skills training and facilitating market access for their products, thereby increasing family income. Leadership training programmes are an integral part of their strategy, aimed at creating empowered leaders to ensure project ownership and sustainability. Furthermore, The Art of Living is committed to developing rural enterprises that promote eco-friendly and sustainable technologies, encompassing clean drinking water, energy access, smokeless cook-stoves, and agri-farm support, among other critical initiatives.