Give one hour to the nation every day – that was the call given by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, for reclaiming India through a spirit of volunteerism and social service. Thousands of citizens, youth, civil society organizations and international agencies joined him at the launch of the Art of Living initiative – ‘Volunteer for a better India’ at the historical Ramlila Maidan recently.
Sri Sri said that more public participation and responsibility in nation-building were needed and stated, “For fulfilling our needs, we need to take responsibility. This initiative will discuss the ways in which one can take responsibility and improve society. This is a call to create an India that is clean, safe and strong.”
Talking about the youth in the country, Sri Sri said “There is a lot of anger among the youth today and this has to be given right direction.”
To combat the rampant discontentment and social ills facing society today, ‘Volunteer for a Better India’ (VBI) will see citizens take active responsibility to create a safer nation. Under this initiative, citizens are required to give one hour to the nation through any service activity under a range of themes – women safety, voice against corruption, declining child sex ratio, child rights, HIV and AIDS, millennium development goals, village entrepreneurial opportunities, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, drugs and alcohol, environment, education, senior citizens and good governance.
UNICEF India, along with Art of Living signed a pledge to support the girl child. They pledged to work together to raise awareness and change mindsets so that every girl has the right to live with dignity and respect. Delhi Medical Association also joined the initiative. Dr Harish Gupta, president of the Delhi Medical Association said, “15,000 doctors of Delhi Medical Association have pledged to dedicate two Sundays a year for free consultation under the program Do ravivar desh ke naam.
A legal-aid helpline was also launched to provide free legal awareness, advice and mediation services.
Sri Sri urged every citizen to be a volunteer for the country.