International Youth Kindness Seminar at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
Dated: 25rd September 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Students participated: 120
Faculty members attended from PIMSR: Prof. Priyanka Chatta, Prof. Mangesh Malusare, Prof. Vijay Karvande and Prof. Sonal Raul
Rising with Kindness – the second edition, is Heartfulness Institute’s Annual Flagship conference for youth. Spread over three days, this International change-making conference, aims to ignite a global movement of kindness, compassion, and positive change. By bringing together young individuals between 18-35 years of age, people from different communities and organizations; the conference hopes to inspire a transitional shift in discourse: from kindness as an act, to a natural state of being, effortlessly flowing through one’s acts.
The conference aims to help catalyze change inside out. Designed as a transformative journey, the conference aligns closely with the principles of natural change, through better lifestyle practices emphasizing the heart’s innate wisdom. The event aims to inspire individuals to cultivate an inner environment of love, compassion, and authenticity by focusing on the heart’s natural capacity for kindness. The second edition of the conference aims to encourage participants to elevate their interactions and relationships, fostering a more empathetic and connected world. This approach not only enhances personal well-being but also ripples outward, creating a collective upliftment that inspires and supports positive change in society.
RwK’s mission was focused on three pillars:
- Promoting well-being through self-care tools.
- Strengthening communities by nurturing relationships.
- Creating ripple effects for systemic, positive change.
The conference interacted with multiple modalities to promote these goals among Youth.
Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad is an ecological paradise, a place for spiritual retreat, where you can experience simple living in-tune with inner and outer nature. Kanha Shanti Vanam offers spiritual training along with interactive programs that promote overall wellness and opportunity to learn and contribute. Our students along with faculty members visited Kanha Shanti Vanam from 20th September to 23rd September 2024, there was various wellness activities where more than 5000 students participated from various colleges.
The day started on 20th September, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. in the morning, there were various outdoor and indoor morning activities held like Frisbie, Yoga, Meditation, “Minute to win” challenges by decathlon, Forest bathing with heartfulness, etc. Coupons were given to each and every individual to participate in various activities. The main motto behind these activities was to align body and mind to start a productive day with a fresh morning. These activities continued for the next 3 days.
On 20th September 2024, The Inauguration program started at 9:00 AM in the morning at Main Meditation Hall. The program convener welcomed Rev. Daaji, Honorable Chief Guest Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister labor and employment, followed by Flag off ceremony of Rising with Kindness 2024 by the dignitaries. After welcoming the chief guest and the guest of honor to the main stage, we meditated for more than half an hour and then the inaugural cultural group dance and musical group song was performed by the students.
On 21st September, 2024, Mr. Martin Raiser, SVP south Asia World Bank started his session at 9:00 AM in the morning where he spoke about SVP south Asia World Bank contribution to heartfulness organization, On the theme of International Day of Peace and role of youth in peace building addressed by Rev. Daaji, founder of Heartfulness organization. Who spoke about being compassionate and kind not only with other but also with ourselves and Keynote by Mr. Brijesh Dholiakia, CEO Hari krishna Sports who told us the importance of giving back to the society.
On 22nd September 2024 the session started at 9:00 AM in the morning, Shri Jupally Krishna Rao, Tourism and Culture Minister of Telangana shared some insights on how tourism is connected with heartfulness organization as their main motto is being in tune with inner and outer nature followed a fireside chat with Indian actress Ms. Kreeti Shetty.
Breakout sessions were held for the Contentment of the youth at 2:00 PM which included, Voice Training for powerful presence, Self-management, managing emotions, anger, passion and fear, being a heartful leader, understanding difficult people, Alternate Healing, Discovering my purpose etc. All these sessions were helpful to generate leadership, Interpersonal skills and for self-assessment. These breakout sessions continued for all the 3 days. Several Joyous activities like K-Carnival (the kindness carnival), Kindness and soulful concert with Ms. Shibani Kashyap and music performance by Safar Band and Heartunes were held in the evening from 4:00 p.m. onwards.
Key Learnings:
- We learned to build a network.
- We gained knowledge about what a heartfelt leader is and why it is important to be a heartful leader.
- We came to understand why it is important to be kind to yourself as well as with people around you and with the animals.
- The significance of meditation in both physical and mental health.
- Understanding of positive mindset and positive words.
Visit to Kanha Shanti Vanam was a rewarding experience, with lot of take aways, networks and memories, filled with new experiences. The serene environment, guided meditation and spiritual practices provided an opportunity to disconnect from the fast-paced world and reconnect with our inner self. This retreat will be cherished by each and everyone.
Some group photographs from our visit to Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
