2019-20 2019-20
With some love for every life around us and some sense, we can transform our environment and the world we live in. 2 WELCOME MESSAGE
We are delighted to present Anukampa 2019-20, the report on Isha Outreach activities in the past year.
Isha Outreach comprises environmental and social initiatives that focus on ecological preservation as well as community revitalization through quality education, healthcare and welfare for rural and tribal communities to enable them to rewrite their future. Our projects are supportive of Isha’s larger goal of raising human consciousness, as we address the critical challenges that prevent individuals from realizing their full potential.
Our ecological initiatives are designed to reignite our intrinsic connectedness with nature. These initiatives are interwoven into the community’s way of life, creating a strong sense of ecological ownership and an experiential understanding of the interdependence of species. They create in human beings a conscious understanding that as the most evolved life form, we have a responsibility to protect all other life forms and assist them to flourish on this planet.
It is only because of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly as an offering to humanity that Isha Outreach has been successful in touching millions of lives and received global recognition for its work. A community that is invested in the wellbeing of their fellow citizens is a true demonstration of awakened humanity.
We hope the stories of hope and success you will read on these pages will not only make for enjoyable reading but will also inspire you in your own journey.
We are grateful to everyone who is part of Isha Outreach, bringing meaning and richness to our own experience of life as well as the lives of all we serve.
With gratitude,
Swami Kalaghata Project Director, Isha Outreach
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD HIGHLIGHTS
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING Action for Rural Rejuvenation Rural and Tribal Welfare ENVIRONMENT Isha Gramotsavam Rally for Rivers Kayanta Sthanam Cauvery Calling Velliangiri Uzhavan - FPO Project GreenHands Save The Weave
RAISING HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS Isha Yoga Programs RURAL EDUCATION Youth and Truth Isha Vidhya Schools Government School Support Program
4 5 FOREWORD
Over the last few decades, I have been traveling across the world and speaking at top universities, to the highest level of academia, scientists, as well as ordinary crowds. What I see is if you just take a hundred random people from the streets of India, you will generally find the highest level of intellect compared to anywhere else in the world. I am not saying this with any kind of Indian prejudice; we have had a certain cultural history which gives us a natural active intelligence.
Especially in rural India, I see that the level of intelligence is extremely high. They are very innovative and enterprising, but social and political situations have put such a cast on their lives that they cannot really come out of it without assistance. If we want India to flourish, it cannot happen without transforming the lives of rural Indians, who make up about 60% of the population.
Isha Outreach is an endeavor to address the social, educational and environmental challenges that stand as obstacles for people to reach their full potential. Only by clearing these road blocks will we be able to create an atmosphere for the flowering of individual genius and wellbeing for the nation.
What is a problem for one person is a possibility for the person who knows how to turn it into solution that works for all. The effort of all Isha Outreach initiatives is to create inspired human beings who can turn every problem into a possibility. Our projects are not just about fixing a dilapidated education system, providing medical care or trying to save the environment. They are about empowering human beings with the skill, competence and inclusiveness to address the situations they find themselves in, while becoming an inspiration for many others.
For it is only where there are great human beings, there will be a great nation, and a great world.
6 HIGHLIGHTS Highlights
162 Million People supported National Water Award From Government of India
Part of the “Decade of Action for Water” United Nations
Listed as an exemplary solution in UN Climate Action Plan RALLY FOR RIVERS Compendium 2019 Launched in 2017 to raise awareness about Project in Maharashtra to revitalize India’s dying rivers. Waghadi River
8 Environment Highlights
Game-changer for Water Crisis and Farm Distress to Impact 84 Million People CAUVERY CALLING
A Global Blueprint for Tropical Nations with Launched in 2019 to revitalize river Cauvery. Will enable farmers to plant 242 crore high- 4.7 Billion People value trees and bring one-third of the 83,000 sq km Cauvery basin under shade. UNCCD Accreditation Isha accredited by United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 2 weeks on 2 wheels Motorcycle ride led by Sadhguru 270,000+ Farmers reached in 25 days
9 Highlights
Enabled plantation of over 38 Million Trees 4 Million 100% naturally grown saplings annually 69,760 Farmers Shifted to tree-based agriculture Mahatma Green India PROJECT GREENHANDS Mission Nurseries renamed to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi The largest grassroots afforestation program in India, launched in 2004, aims to increase green cover in Tamil Nadu to the mandated 33%.
10 Environment Highlights Highlights
ISHA VIDHYA Delivers quality education to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in 8500+ rural India. Students are being impacted in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh 60% Students On full scholarship 49% Girl students 8800+ Students benefited under Government School Support Program
11 Highlights
5,226,075 Patients treated 7 Million+ Lives impacted 6500+ Villages Covered under programs ACTION FOR RURAL REJUVENATION Aims to transform the lives of India’s rural poor through a range of health, livelihood and community revitalization programs.
12 Environment Highlights
First VELLIANGIRI UZHAVAN Rank in Tamil Nadu FARMER PRODUCER 13th ORGANIZATION Rank in India Established in 2013 to enhance farmers’ bargaining power and ensure sustained high 1063 incomes. Members with 12,000 hectares of farm land 70% Small and marginal farmers 38% Women farmers 13 Highlights
Worldwide events held in 60 Leading Institutions 349 Million+ Online views 3 Billion+ Impressions
YOUTH AND TRUTH
A campaign launched in 2018 to reach out to youth globally
14 Environment Highlights
Yoga for Soldiers Sadhguru with defence forces for 5th ISHA YOGA PROGRAMS International Day of Yoga Offered to equip individuals with mental and physical wellbeing through scientific tools that 14,000+ bring inner balance and clarity. Defence personnel taught yogic practices across India 400+ Indian Army and Border Security Forces trained at Isha Yoga Center 17,368 Police personnel and prison wardens taught simple yogic practices
15 ENVIRONMENT This is once in a lifetime, not just in our lives — in the nation’s life. Everyone who consumes water must Rally for Rivers.
17 Environment
18 RALLY FOR RIVERS
Sadhguru launched Rally for Rivers in September 2017 to revitalize India’s rapidly depleting rivers, and personally drove over 9300 km through 16 states to raise awareness about the dire situation.
Supported by over 162 million people in just 30 days, it is the world’s largest ecological movement. The rally culminated with the handing over of the draft policy recommendation, “Revitalization of Rivers in India,” to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since then it has been issued as an official policy recommendation from the Central Government to all State Governments.
If we have sufficient trees, we will have“ sufficient rain, and our rivers will flow.
19 Environment
IN TWO YEARS AN ECONOMIC PLAN WITH A Rally for Rivers has set the direction for a strong SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL IMPACT national policy on river revitalization in India, by proposing an increase in green cover in catchment Rally for Rivers is a comprehensive solution that areas. Across the globe, the movement is seen as serves the national goal of improving Indian an example of an all-inclusive ecological movement farmers’ livelihood, and thereby the nation’s soil, where ecology and economy are no longer seen as agriculture and economy. incompatible. They are integral parts of a holistic solution to water crisis. Most importantly, action has begun on the ground, and the minds, hands and hearts of millions of people have come together to restore India’s lifelines.
MODELS THAT CAN BE REPLICATED LARGE SCALE ACROSS INDIA AND THE TROPICAL WORLD
Project to Revitalize Cauvery Calling Waghadi River To build on the momentum created by Rally for The first project in Yavatmal, Maharashtra is Rivers and take resolute action on the ground, surging forward in collaboration with the state Cauvery Calling was launched in 2019, to support government to revitalize the Waghadi River on 285 farmers to plant 242 crore trees across 83,000 sq sq km of river basin. (See pg. 24) km of the Cauvery basin. (See pg. 28)
20 2019 AWARDS NATIONAL WATER AWARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY GOVERNMENT OF PRESENTED TO SADHGURU FROM INDIA AQUA FOUNDATION
Feb 2019 Nov 2019 Rally for Rivers received the 2018 National Water At the World Aqua Congress 2019, inaugurated by Award from the Government of India, Ministry Jal Shakti Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, of Water Resources, under the category of “Best Department of Water Resources, Sadhguru was Educative/Mass Awareness Efforts.” conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award.
21 Environment
We want to establish Rally for Rivers as a model for sustainable agriculture that“ leads to robust economic progress and river revitalization.
UNCCD COP 14
Sep 2019 Sadhguru addressed the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14), in New Delhi, India. He emphasized the human capability of becoming conscious and the urgent need to reduce the human footprint on the planet.
22 PROJECT TO REVITALIZE WAGHADI RIVER 285 sq km WAGHADI RIVER FLOWS THROUGH of river basin YAVATMAL DISTRICT IN MAHARASHTRA 54 km of the river THE PROBLEM Yavatmal, in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region is known as the farmer suicide capital of India. Soil erosion and lack of water have caused huge losses to farmers.
The organic content in India’s soil has become so weak that the soil is no longer able to retain water. The only way to retain monsoon water is by increasing vegetation and organic content in the soil.
23 Environment
NADI VEERAS - River Champions
Rally for Rivers has touched millions of volunteers, out of which an inspired group of youth stepped forward as full-time volunteers to save India’s rivers. 2019 marks year 2 for this dedicated group of Nadi Veeras, or River Champions, who have committed 3 years of their life for Rally for Rivers.
The Maharashtra Rally for Rivers team is focusing on Entry Point Activities (EPAs) including structures for soil and water conservation, tree-based agriculture, water budgeting and government schemes to execute the project.
ESTABLISHING A PRESENCE AND GAINING TRUST “Entry Point Activities (EPAs) were chosen carefully, in a way so that we could connect with the various communities that live in a village. For example, kitchen garden was for women, tree-based agriculture for farmers, games sessions for youth, and Van Mahotsav involved community participation. Another significant aspect of EPAs was that they would give us an understanding of the ground reality. If we understand and solve existing problems, it would give the villagers confidence in us that we can deliver a project of such scale.” Jayesh, Maharashtra
24 EVERY FARMER KNOWS THEM
25 Environment
“When Isha volunteers visited us, their simplicity and their way of interacting seemed very far-sighted. One is from UP, another from Bihar, someone else from AP. They have come from across India. They are educated people. This area is new for them. But with Sadhguru’s blessing, they have the potential to connect with the people here. In a matter of a few days they have bonded really well with the people here. Every farmer knows them. Their personality, their mindset, their way of living has impressed many. People here have started seeing them as people who will lead the way and we are very proud that they selected our Waghadi River for their project.”
Rajendra Gobade, Khapri Village, Ghatanji, Yavatmal, Influencer and Farmer
We seek the support and contributions of committed companies to revitalize the lifelines of India – our rivers – and avert a dire ecological crisis in the making.
[email protected] AN APPEAL 26 ACTION NOW Cauvery Calling is a massive on-ground campaign to initiate the revitalization of Cauvery river by supporting farmers to plant 242 crore trees on their own farmlands in the Cauvery basin through tree-based agriculture.
Growing high-value trees will offer tremendous economic gains for farmers and is expected to sequester 9 to 12 trillion liters of water in the Cauvery basin. This will impact the lives of 84 million people, increase farmers’ income by 300-800% in 5-7 years, and bring one-third of the 83,000 sq km of Cauvery basin under tree cover, while ensuring that Cauvery flows again. Cauvery Calling will not only set the standard for revitalizing India’s rivers but for rivers across the tropical world - impacting 4.7 billion people.
27 Environment
Cauvery Calling is a carefully crafted, demonstrable model to revive“ the soil, revitalize rivers, and increase farmer income – not just in India, but in the entire tropical world.
28 THE PROBLEM CAUVERY IS DYING 87% TREE COVER REMOVED IN CAUVERY BASIN HAS LED TO Over 40% depletion of Cauvery 47,190 FARMER SUICIDES in 15 years in Cauvery basin
THE SOLUTION Cauvery Calling will support farmers to plant 242 crore trees on their own farmlands through tree- based agriculture. This will bring one-third of Cauvery basin under tree cover.
How Tree-based agriculture Works Tree-based agriculture is the practice of growing fruit or timber trees along with conventional crops or on a full-fledged basis. By incentivizing and facilitating farmers to partially move from water-intensive conventional crops to long-term tree-based agriculture, we can restore Cauvery’s original flow while making it profitable for farmers to participate in river revitalization.
29 Environment
A GAME-CHANGER FOR WATER CRISIS & FARM DISTRESS CAUVERY IS DYING A 12-Year Plan Benefiting: Ecology Economy
• 242 crore trees - resulting in one third of • Increasing farmers’ incomes by 300-800% Cauvery Basin under tree cover in 5-7 years
• The trees will sequester 9-12 trillion liters of • Planting varieties of trees provides valuable water – 40% of Cauvery’s current flow fuel wood, fodder, fertilizer and medicine, and insulates farmers from market and climate • Reduction in soil erosion & Improved soil risks fertility • Trees improve and sustain the • A more stable micro-climate productivity of the farmland, reduce pests, • Normalized rainfall pattern and creation of prevent erosion, and reduce crop failure - all wind-breakers that help local precipitation of which are common to single cropping or monoculture systems • Improved biodiversity in the region • Farmers can tap into the domestic timber market • The potential to revive 29,00,000 acres of worth thousands of crores and the global fallow land in the Cauvery basin timber export valued at $435 billion a year
• India will save thousands of crores in foreign exchange for timber import and, in turn, contribute considerably to its rural and state economies
• Reduce rural to urban migration because of alternate livelihoods
FARMER OUTREACH • Boost to rural consumption and economy (including allied activities) Door-to-door campaign in • Reduction in farm loan waivers/write-offs 7000+ Villages
270,000+ Farmers educated on tree-based agriculture through LED screen vans 45 Lakh+ Saplings distributed in 2019
30 2 WEEKS ON 2 WHEELS
31 Environment
3080 KM COVERED 865 PUBLIC EVENTS
Sep 2019
Sadhguru led a two-week motorcycle ride that triggered government action and farmer participation across the entire Cauvery basin. Millions of impoverished farmers now see hope in Cauvery Calling to revitalize the river and their fortunes. The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments have promised to extend full support for the movement.
32 2019 FEATURES 3 STATE GOVERNMENTS ON BOARD Sep 8, 2019 Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, The Chief Minister of Karnataka Puducherry announced that the Forest Department would contribute 2 crore saplings for Cauvery Calling.
“The state government of Karnataka will support it fully in every possible way because we consider it our duty to do so. May Cauvery flow in full glory again. May the bond between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu be strengthened with Sadhguru’s blessings.” Shri B.S. Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka
The Governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are working towards policy changes that will give farmers a free hand to grow, fell, transport and sell their tree-based agriculture produce. The Government of Karnataka has promised to provide subsidies for farmers to switch to tree-based agriculture. Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri Banwarilal Purohit and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Shri Edappadi K. Palaniswami participated in the large public event in Chennai. The Chief Minister of Puducherry Shri V. Narayansamy and Lt. Governor of Puducherry Dr. Kiran Bedi also joined the movement and ensured support.
33 Environment
To fnance the sapling growth NATIONAL AND and distribution of the 242 crore trees that will be planted GLOBAL SUPPORT by farmers in the Cauvery basin, the campaign took to large-scale crowdfunding - of FOR CAUVERY donations of just D42 per tree. Contributions poured in not only CALLING from India but also from abroad.
Tremendous response and contributions from over 146 countries As of December 2019, 46,358,278 TREES have been Contributed * Includes 3.08 cr sapling contribution from government and other nurseries
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Jal Shakti Minister, Government of India) supports CauveryCalling to #FREEINDIAofWaterCrisis
34 SUPPORT FROM UNITED NATIONS
SADHGURU AT THE INDIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT 2019 Oct 3, 2019 Sadhguru along with Shri Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change contributed to a World Economic Forum segment called “No Planet B” in which they discussed addressing our environmental challenges holistically and Cauvery Calling as a comprehensive solution Nov 2019 taking shape in this direction. Ibrahim Thiaw, the Executive Secretary of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifcation (UNCCD), hosted Sadhguru at the UNCCD office, where they spoke about Cauvery Calling and the need for such a mandate in the world today to combat the effects of climate change and desertifcation. Sadhguru also addressed over 100 UN officials at the headquarters in Bonn, Germany.
35 Environment
FARMERS IN THE CAUVERY BASIN SEE HOPE IN CAUVERY CALLING
“My father and others are frequently sick. Tobacco farming and no trees are the major reason for this.” Rakshita, 13-year-old daughter of “Because of trees, soil in my farm constantly has moisture. I can grow crops even in summer. My neighbor can never agricultural laborers, Hassan imagine doing that! And I grow multiple crops so my income has increased many times over.” Valluvan, Pollachi WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING
“Trees have a great role to play in catching the rainfall, in making the rainwater drip through the leaves and their stems, and in making the rainwater percolate into the land through their roots. Rainfall is captured in two ways: one, by step fall - the canopy of trees; and two, by through fall – rainwater dripping through the leaves and stem. Overall, the trees help to increase the water level in the aquifers and enhance the fertility of the soil. The water table not just improves in the riverbed, but across all the aquifers in the region. Above all, the income of the farmers and agriculture will be protected.
“Tree-based agriculture is a good practice for farmers. It “Firstly, the tree species selected for agroforestry; is possible for everyone to plant 10 trees at least on the secondly, the needed agricultural technology; thirdly, the borders of the feld. It acts like an insurance - whenever right way to market the timber – all these three aspects there is a need for money you can cut those trees. Not put in effect through Cauvery Calling will make the only that, it is very good for the environment and water. farmers greatly beneft.” It attracts rain bringing clouds, serves as a windbreaker and also helps in maintaining moisture. Like this, there are K.T. Parthiban, Professor, Forestry, Head many benefts to tree-based agriculture.” of Agroforestry, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) Mr. Punati Sridhar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Karnataka
36 There is a widespread misconception that a particular valley in the hills is a catchment area of a river. In tropical lands, every inch of land is catchment. Cauvery Calling is an attempt to bring back vegetation on land to enhance our soil, water, and agriculture.
37 Environment
ISHA OUTREACH HAS APPOINTED AN EMINENT RALLY FOR RIVERS BOARD TO OVERSEE THE CAUVERY CALLING PROJECT:
Justice Arijit Pasayat Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Supreme Court Judge (retd.) Chairperson & MD, Biocon Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar Mr. Ravi Singh Former Chairman, Indian Space Research Secretary General & CEO, Organisation World Wide Fund for Nature - India Mr. Pravesh Sharma Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee IAS (retd.), who last served as MD of Small Director General, Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium in the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Shashi Shekhar Mr. B. Muthuraman IAS (retd.), Former Secretary Former Vice Chairman, Tata Steel of the Ministry of Water Resources
Cauvery Calling will demonstrate a large-scale model, showcasing that in ten to twelve years’ time we can revive a major river significantly and simultaneously multiply farmers’ incomes. This movement will set the standard for a sustainable river revitalization process not only in India but for the entire tropical world. To bring one third of Cauvery basin under tree cover we will support farmers to plant 242 crore trees. This year, sapling production and procurement, farmer mobilization/training and awareness generation activities are being scaled up across the Cauvery basin. A training center in Karnataka and training cum research institute in Tamil Nadu are envisioned - expected to touch 42,000 farmers a year and create 27,000 model tree-based agriculture farmers by 2021. Visit CauveryCalling.org to make one-time or recurring donations at D42 per tree, learn about sponsorship opportunities, volunteer options and CSR partnerships. [email protected]
AN APPEAL [email protected] (CSR related enquiries) [email protected] (partnerships and grants) Your life is not an individual existence. What you exhale, the trees are inhaling; what the trees exhale, you are inhaling. If this was in everyone’s experience, would we have to tell you to plant and protect trees.
39 Environment
40 PROJECT GreenHands
Project GreenHands (PGH) is one of the world’s foremost grassroots afforestation projects in a tropical context, with a goal to increase Tamil Nadu’s green cover to 33% by enabling the planting of over 114 million trees in the state.
Launched in 2004, with over a decade of technical expertise and hands-on experience, PGH encompasses an array of programs including rural and urban greening campaigns, tree-based agriculture programs for farmers, and the Green School Movements - initiatives which involve people of all ages and from all walks of life.
VERTICALS 1) TREES FOR ALL 3) TREES FOR LIFE 4 2) ISHA AGRO MOVEMENT 4) GREEN SCHOOL MOVEMENT
Planting Trees in People’s Minds
“The frst 6-7 years were spent planting trees in people’s minds, which is the most difficult terrain. Now we are transplanting with much more ease onto the land because the idea is standing on people’s heads. If we had not spent those 6-7 years of planting trees in people’s minds, today this work could not have happened.
I see that if anything has to happen, it is never going to happen by policy change. Unless people can emotionally relate to it, unless people can have an emotionally charged movement, there is no way anything is going to happen on the ground. So we went about creating the experience of how a tree is not a project for you; a tree is your life. It is an outside part of yourself. It breathes for you every day. It is more than your lungs; your lungs cannot do anything without trees. We made people understand this in very simple ways...” - Sadhguru
41 Environment TREES FOR ALL India’s largest network of 1organically grown saplings
• 35 PGH nurseries produce 4 The “Trees for All” initiative educates people about million saplings on average the multiple benefits that trees offer and distributes annually saplings in the community. PGH has 35 nurseries across the state of Tamil Nadu through which 4 • To mark the 150th birth million saplings on average are produced every anniversary of Mahatma year. 84 different tree species (a combination of fruit, fodder, timber, flowering and avenue trees) Gandhi this year, Sadhguru are raised in these nurseries with 100% natural renamed all Isha nurseries as inputs. School children, college students, corporate Mahatma Green India employees, Isha volunteers, and nature enthusiasts Mission all take part in production activities such as sowing seeds, transplanting saplings, filling packets with • 84 differenttree species are soil, watering, and weeding. Through education produced in the nurseries and mass people participation, PGH has broken social divides and has successfully created green • Supported by Yves Rocher champions of all ages and from all walks of life. Foundation, France
42 MAHATMA GREEN INDIA MISSION
Oct 2, 2019 As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary, Sadhguru renamed all 35 PGH nurseries in Cauvery Basin as Mahatma Green India Mission.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2019 SAPLING DISTRIBUTION AT WEDDINGS Jun 5, 2019 PGH observed World Environment Day at 55 Today, almost 36% of all the tree saplings distributed locations in 25 districts of Tamil Nadu and through PGH are distributed at weddings, Puducherry. accounting for 12-15 lakh saplings per year. PGH helps facilitate sapling distribution during special Various activities including sapling distribution, occasions and mass gatherings where there is a awareness rally by school students and tree high level of interest and commitment to plant plantation were organized. and nurture saplings. PGH volunteers speak to and Volunteers distributed 4,470 saplings by involving educate people about the uses and characteristics of students and the general public. these trees and how to nurture them before offering saplings for planting.
43 Environment
ISHA AGRO MOVEMENT 2 Enabling farmers to transition from chemical to nature-based farming Isha Agro Movement (IAM) is a farmers’ movement that aims to accelerate an alternative self-reliant system of agriculture with a key focus on ensuring superior economic returns for farmers as compared to chemical farming methods.
The adverse effects of conventional chemical farming are now widely acknowledged - its unsustainability from a farmer’s perspective as well as its adverse health impact on end-consumers. A sustainable system of natural farming that protects the richness of soil while minimizing water usage is the need of the hour. Isha has conducted 76 natural farming programs for 9,064 farmers with a focus on paddy, banana, turmeric, pepper, sugarcane, coconut, vegetable cultivation as well as programs on input preparation, pest management, livestock management, irrigation practices, value addition, terrace gardens, and other aspects of natural farming. Isha Agro Movement aims to reach 800,000 to 1 million farmers in the next five years and make this self-reliant method of farming a mainstream phenomenon.
44 MILESTONE: ISHA AGRO MOVEMENT ORGANIZES THE LARGEST GATHERING OF FARMERS FOR A WORKSHOP ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING
Feb 2-10, 2019 1,885 farmers from across the state came together at S.R.M. Medical College in Trichy, the largest gathering in one place at one time, lasting for over one week, towards the vision of sustainable agriculture in Tamil Nadu. Padma Shri awardee Subhash Palekar, recognized nationally and globally as a natural farming expert shared his insights and best practices at the workshop. • 3,500+ Farmers were educated on input Farmers trained on natural farming preparation, steps to enrich the soil, the • 100,000+ importance of local cattle breeds, crop People educated on native livestock at IAM cultivation, traditional seeds, and value- showcases promoting Indian bovine breeds added sales. • Isha Agro Movement is funded by Tata Trusts
When farmers shift from conventional, chemical-based farming to nature-based farming, their incomes increase thanks to higher value produce, and their costs reduce due to lower input requirements.
Isha Agro Movement trains participants in sustainable farming and facilitates their shift to natural farming through the guidance, interaction and support of fellow farmers. The goal is to establish a stable income and ultimately great economic returns for farmers who choose to practice sustainable farming. 45 Environment
PONMUTHU A PARENT’S ANGUISH
A sick child is always distressing for a parent and that even though it was organic, it still required organic Ponmuthu was no exception. Frequent bouts of illness pesticides. were taking a heavy toll on his children’s health, and By chance, he saw an advert for natural farming training. he and his wife became a worried couple. The pain and It was organized by Isha and was near his village. He suffering his children were going through was only one came home after the training, packed up all his fertilizers aspect; Ponmuthu’s troubles were compounded by the and pesticides and threw them out. On the last day of the cost of medical care. class in December 2015 he took an oath never to touch Eventually Ponmuthu realized he was the cause. He chemical fertilizers again. used a lot of pesticides on his farm and realized that The frst year his yield was low, but year on year, the he was feeding poison to his children and everyone else yields increased and now he enjoys good profts. Today he who bought his produce in the market. “I used to spray feels very proud that everyone can eat his produce and be pesticides on my farm, and when I returned home, though nourished with no ill-effects. I washed my hands properly, I was always worried in the back of my mind when I played with my children or fed them,” Ponmuthu explained.
This guilt made him wonder why people can’t produce natural food. He started to research on how to grow produce without using chemical fertilizers. One friend suggested he get into organic farming. He soon realized
46 TREES FOR LIFE A tree-based agriculture initiative to increase farmers’ 3 incomes through ecologically and economically beneficial methods Through the “Trees for Life” model, farmers are encouraged to plant a combination of fruit, fodder and timber trees on their farmland.
Designed to bring tree-based agriculture back to the heart of Indian farming, through this tree-based agriculture model, farmers are guided to choose and plant the right kind of tree sapling. The trees are selected to take care of all issues like crop failure, soil erosion and water inadequacy, thereby creating a self-sustaining movement.
47 Environment
PGH has enabled 69,760 farmers to shift to tree-based • 1,982 farm visits in 35 districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and agriculture, increasing their Karnataka income by 300-800% in 5-7 years • 615 farmers attended a one- day workshop on tree-based agriculture in Trichy covering intercropping, harvesting of trees, market tie-ups and government RETIREMENT HEAVEN regulations
“My wife and I have been committed • 594,807 saplings planted by professionals all our life. After retirement, we in their farmland followed our passion for farming. We wanted 693 farmers a lower-maintenance alternative and we under Isha’s guidance found our solution in tree-based agriculture, where the investment is less and proft is • “Trees for Life” is supported by more. TreeSisters UK
We approached Project GreenHands, and Isha volunteers came to our feld to give us advice. 16 years later, when we walk into our man-made forest we feel very happy about our investment. It’s a magical experience to A GREAT INVESTMENT see our creation thriving. With love we have tended to this farm…if you talk to the plants, “To keep the farm income constant and they will love to hear you, and you will fnd nearly uniform over the years, I have the forest growing abundantly as a result.” planted long-term and short-term trees together in an alternating pattern. I can Kasthuri and Baskaran, harvest short-term trees such as Malabar 77 and 82, Pondicherry Outskirts kino and Melia dubia in fve years and valuable long-term trees starting from the tenth year for a much higher price. These long-term trees include teak, mahogany and red sandalwood, and can act as an insurance policy or retirement plan.
“My daughter is fve now. In twenty years, she will be getting married. Then the trees will also be mature and I can sell them to meet the requirements of the marriage. I need not ask anyone for money, I am independent with tree-based agriculture.” Kanagaraj, Thanjavur
48 GREEN SCHOOL MOVEMENT 4 Green School Movement (GSM) is an action- based awareness generation program in 2775 schools offering practical, hands-on environmental education
• 100 Schools • 36 schools from Vellore district implement green school movement acknowledged as 2019 Eco in Vellore district Champions GSM, for maintaining outstanding student awareness • Children will produce and plant and infrastructure to create “green 200,000 saplings consciousness”
• This project is supported by Pharmazell, Chennai
49 Environment
In partnership with the National Green Corps (NGC), the Green School Movement was conceptualized by Project GreenHands and is being implemented in hundreds of schools each year in association with the Tamil Nadu Education Department. A PROUD AND RESPONSIBLE A unique feature of the program is YOUNGER GENERATION the inclusion of students from middle school and higher secondary standards “In our school, we have grown more than 10,000 saplings to distribute and plant saplings. This in the last 4 years. After we raised them, we donated the means that apart from NGC students, all saplings to people who are willing to take care of them. students in the age group of 11 to 17 years This year, we have given saplings for free to 6 villages have the opportunity to get involved in close to our school. We also came together and planted tree plantation. 300 saplings in our school compound and it looks like we created a small forest. The saplings grown in schools are planted on the school premises and distributed “The Isha team literally guided us through the delicate to local residents and nearby residential and not so simple process of raising a sapling from a seed locations for planting. The ownership all the way to a tree. Pretty much our whole class now of trees is transferred to the local knows the health benefts of herbal trees and plants, of community who ensure the survival of which we have 30 varieties in our school. Looking back the saplings. on what makes me happy, raising saplings and planting is probably my favorite activity!” Latha, 9th Standard
There are many ways for individuals and companies to help support the initiatives of PGH. You can sponsor our Green School Movement to establish nurseries in schools and enable young students to grow and raise saplings. Besides monetary donations, you can become a PGH volunteer and support us in planting trees and conducting awareness campaigns. If you are a greenie at heart and wish to offset your carbon footprint, you can plant trees online at:
ProjectGreenHands.org [email protected] AN APPEAL When human hands and heart work in tandem, that is grace in the making. Handwoven cloth has beauty and grace that is signifcant.
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52 SAVE The Weave
Save the Weave is an initiative to revitalize the weaves of ancient India. The objective is to revive more than 120 unique weaves indigenous to rural India, including adopting looms and weaving clusters, facilitating the use of natural dyes, developing market access, and more.
The initiative envisions a landscape where the variety of sustainable fabrics is myriad, rich and abundant, while staying contemporary and versatile enough to be worn globally. Save the Weave is just as much about reinstating the use of natural and handmade garments over synthetic and machine-made ones as it is about realizing the impact our clothing has on our mental and physical wellbeing. It is a conscious shift in how we dress today.
FASHION FOR PEACE 2019 Feb 2019 Fashion for Peace, an initiative in commemoration Mukherji, it promoted conscious and sustainable of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, fashion. Save the Weave was highlighted in this showcased Indian weaves at the New York Fashion special event, bringing attention to natural textiles, Week. A collaboration between Isha Foundation revitalizing nearly extinct traditional crafts, and and renowned leading-edge designers Norma raising awareness about the impact of the fashion Kamali, Mimi Prober, Mara Hoffman and Sabyasachi industry on our health and the environment. 53 Environment
One thing about clothing is the aesthetics for other people who see “it. But the most important thing is that your body is at ease. Just change to an organic fber, close your eyes, and see how it feels. Your body will come to ease.
54 RURAL EDUCATION Quality education is the only ladder that we can provide these rural children to help them and their families climb out of the economic and social pit.
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57 ISHA Vidhya
Transforming rural education since 2006, Isha Vidhya delivers uncompromising high quality education to children from impoverished backgrounds. Donor funded scholarships, dedicated teachers, passionate volunteers and Sadhguru’s inspiration have together translated into measurable results for students. For fve years in a row now, Isha Vidhya students have achieved a 100% pass rate in their tenth standard public exams.
Isha Vidhya empowers children through a modern curriculum that makes them ready for a globalized and technological workplace. At the same time, it nurtures their creative instincts while retaining their inquisitiveness as they grow up. Material concerns of the children are met, through programs like midday meals, sports, and other extra-curricular activities; their intellectual faculties are challenged through library visits, science projects, art competitions among others; their emotional needs are taken care of, in times of difficulties, through a strong sense of community; and their spiritual growth is assured through Isha’s world-renowned Yoga programs. Isha Vidhya offers a new paradigm for the education system in India, by putting the students’ interest at the forefront. Special emphasis on girls’ education has resulted in a nearly 1:1 ratio of boys to girls in Isha Vidhya Schools.
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ISHA VIDHYA DIFFERENCE Isha Vidhya is truly grassroots. From the bottom-up, 8500+ Isha Vidhya is both motivated and innovative. With Students are being impacted in proprietary or precisely-sourced textbooks, pedagogies, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh outcome assessments, and training materials, Isha Vidhya succeeds in effectively reaching the most needy. 60% Students These in-house methods are being tried and tested in On full scholarship rural government schools in Tamil Nadu through the Government School Support Program. Isha Vidhya opened its 10th school in 2019 in Karur district, 49% Tamil Nadu. Girl students
59 HIGHLIGHTS 2019
60 Rural Education
2019 ACHIEVEMENTS
197 Medals Won by students at sports events from zonal to state levels 12 Students Secured top 25 ranks at the Indian Talent Olympiad which included 31,573 schools 3rd Rank Secured by Bhuvana and Harini at the Indian Talent Olympiad Gold Medals Won by M. Gowtham and G. Santhana Raj in the 10th Tamil Nadu State School Games Championship’s Taekwondo contest P.T Perumal Won 3rd place in the under-18 category at an international level archery competition conducted by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia T. Annamalai Won 3rd place at the international under-12 archery
61 MICHAEL ALWIN Right opportunities, good guidance and unfaltering long jump and short put. A thrilled Michael has been support can create unimaginable possibilities selected for training at the Trichy Centre where he is for rural students. Michael Alwin is a 12-year-old being groomed for national as well as international who studies in Isha Vidhya Tuticorin. He says he competitions, alongside other talented kids like him. wants to join the police force when he grows up. Though only 12, Michael has worked hard for his Michael’s father is an auto driver and his mother success. His PET Master, Mr. Charles, coaches is a homemaker. He studies on an Isha Vidhya him in the mornings and evenings and keeps him scholarship. And he packs a punch. motivated. Michael followed a special diet and At the Tamil Nadu government’s World Beaters practiced almost three hours a day in the run-up Talent Spotting Scheme (WBTSS), students of 6th, to the talent-spotting event. The budding sports 7th and 8th grades participate in a series of aptitude star is grateful to his coach and to Isha Vidhya for tests that identify hidden talents and assess their his success. His friends and family are thrilled. Isha flair for sports. Vidhya hopes to see him at the Asian Games for a start! Michael breezed through several rounds of tests, winning first place in 50m, 100m and 300m tracks,
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LOKIYA Lokiya from Isha Vidhya Cuddalore has endured way more than any child should. She is from the tsunami affected village of Pudukuppam. Seeking better wages, her father went to the Gulf in search of work as a daily wage laborer. Within a month’s time, he died in a boating accident. Already in debt from his travel expenses, the family could not raise money to bring his body back. His heart-broken wife committed suicide leaving Lokiya orphaned at the tender age of 6. The little girl was left in the care of her grandmother and uncle. The uncle supported them till he got married, after which the girl was virtually orphaned. A chance encounter with Isha Vidhya put her in school on scholarship. Lokiya is now in 8th grade. She is happy, rarely thinks of the past and is completely focused on the future. Yoga gives her mental strength. A bright future awaits this brave and determined girl.
63 Isha Vidhya carries out critical interventions in 26 rural government schools in the districts of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Salem of Tamil Nadu
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VOLUNTEER SUPPORT FOR ISHA VIDHYA ACROSS THE GLOBE
• This year, 2,138 volunteers ran for Isha Vidhya in races across India to raise funds to educate rural children.
• In the San Francisco Bay Area, USA, 133 volunteers ran for Isha Vidhya in the annual Sevathon event. They recieved the Spirit Award for having the highest number of runners among non-profits.
• Isha Golf Jaunt, the annual fundraiser in support of Isha Vidhya was held in July 2019 for the first time in the United States at the Forsgate Gate Country Club in New Jersey. Every year, corporate leaders and golfers gather to tee off for the cause of Isha Vidhya in the presence of Sadhguru.
• The eighth edition of the Isha Golf Jaunt in India took place at Oxford Golf Resort in Pune in December 2019.
65 GOVERNMENT School Support Program
Isha Vidhya partners with government schools to offer a variety of programs that include capacity building programs 8800+ for teachers and special coaching for slow learners. The Students impacted Government School Support Program (GSSP) strengthens 50+ systemic delivery processes, optimizes infrastructure, broadens outreach and deepens impact. The scalable model is a cost- Teachers trained efficient alternative to building new schools. 26 Government schools suffer from various challenges like a high student-teacher Rural government ratio, unmotivated teachers, lack of basic facilities, gaps in teacher recruitment schools and a high student drop-out rate. GSSP aims to address all these challenges with deliberate interventions that support both students and teachers, strengthen the delivery mechanism and promote holistic development.
INTERVENTIONS
• Extensive Teacher Training using Isha • Improving children’s English language Vidhya methods, including ongoing skills through special methodologies monitoring and feedback • Supporting holistic development • Special assistance to slow learners, through sports, Yoga, environmental who constitute 30% of the class, education, health awareness through critical remedial interventions
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Accreditations Reputed donation platforms: Give India, Global Giving, CAF (India), United Way of Mumbai, CAF (America), National CSR Hub (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), Guidestar India (Platinum certification). We are a registered Public Charitable Trust with 12A, 80G, FCRA and all other statutory approvals.
Isha Vidhya envisions establishing an active school in each of the 33 districts of Tamil Nadu. You can offer support by donating for classrooms and laboratories or even for educational content. You can also become a Friend of Isha Vidhya and offer support as a volunteer or refer someone you know to the many opportunities available, which encompass anything from helping IT services, developing curriculum, starting fundraising campaigns, participating in marathons, joining as a teacher, or enhancing Isha Vidhya’s public profile through networking. Additionally, companies can also partner with Isha Education as part of their CSR initiatives, to give children in rural India a brighter future.
AN APPEAL ishavidhya.org [email protected] COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACTION FOR RURAL REJUVENATION
This project is not just aimed at improving the economic conditions of people. It is a way of raising the human spirit and inspiring human beings to stand up for themselves.
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70 ACTION FOR Rural Rejuvenation
Isha’s Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR) is a pioneering social outreach program that has sought to transform the lives of India’s rural poor.
Initiated by Sadhguru in 2003, ARR implements a range of health, livelihood and community revitalization programs, taking a comprehensive approach to the complex challenges faced by rural communities.
HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES 1) MOBILE HEALTH CLINICS 3) AROKIYA ALAI 4 2) COMMUNITY BASED 4) AYUSH - ISHA ORGANIC HEALTH CLINICS HEALTH SYSTEMS
71 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing MOBILE HEALTH and Wellbeing CLINICS Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) are 1 specially designed and equipped to access populations deprived of adequate roads and basic healthcare facilities. They offer free primary and minor emergency care on a bi-weekly basis, at the doorstep. Each MHC team, which includes a doctor, paramedical assistant, pharmacist and driver, provides free examinations and treatment (both allopathic and traditional medicine), and refers patients to partnering local hospitals for advanced care. Each MHC covers approximately 40 villages in a month bringing much needed preventive and curative treatment to remote rural communities with no access to quality healthcare.
MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC IN VADIVELAMPALAYAM Every Wednesday in Vadivelampalayam Village, the elderly congregate awaiting the van’s arrival with its stock of medicines and medical advice.
Kalpatha says, “Without this van, there would be no one to care for us.” Her three children have all died leaving her alone feeling orphaned and despondent. She has trouble with mobility and must use a walker to get around. She cries as she tells her story. Other than this van, there’s no medical support for her. Rangatha was born, brought up, and married in the The Alandurai Hospital is too far away, so it is not same village. Her son is an agricultural laborer and an option to meet her healthcare needs, she says. stays away from home. She is a widow who lives Without the van, she would have to simply suffer alone and has no one to take her to a doctor. She her pain at home. has trouble getting in and out of vehicles. She’s been a regular patient of the mobile clinic for a decade now and says the medicines are helping her. She says this van is her only opportunity for healthcare.
72 COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CLINICS 2 Isha Rural Health Clinics (IRHCs) have been established to respond to the community’s need for affordable, high- quality, round-the-clock and easily accessible health care. Equipped with a lab, a pharmacy and facilities for minor surgery, each IRHC serves approximately 45 surrounding villages and treats an average of 60 - 80 patients daily.
15th August 2019 marked the Annual Day for Kullapanayakanur IRHC. The clinic conducted an Orthopedic Camp and a General Camp. People from the nearby villages like Kullapanayakanur, Thippampatti, Samakotampatti, Vedapatti, Thumbalpatti, Nulathukombai, Kammalapatti, Kuralnatham, Suriyur and Panamarathupatti poured in, not just for treatment, medicines and physiotherapy but for some fun and games as well. After all, it’s not every day that a Health Clinic celebrates its anniversary with the community with sports and cultural performances.
73 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing AROKIYA ALAI - and Wellbeing WAVE OF HEALTH Health Awareness and Specialist Health 3 Campaigns To augment the work of Isha’s mobile and fxed health clinics, health awareness events and medical camps are taken directly to the underprivileged in rural and urban areas. Focused on prevention and self-care, the camps share talks on general health and hygiene, recognition of disease symptoms and simple techniques to care for chronic diseases.
THE WEAVER WHO REGAINED HIS VISION Shri Manikam is a former handloom worker, whose monthly income of D24,000 supported his family of a wife and four daughters. In 2014, his vision began to fail and he could no longer work. Eventually, he moved to an old age home where he encountered Isha’s Mobile Health Clinic. The Clinic connected him to Arokya Alai, specifically an eye camp conducted by Aravind Eye Hospital. He underwent surgery to remove his cataracts and he could see again. “I am very happy I got my vision back,” he says. “Now, I’m able to shop for my housemates who are unable to walk. I feel immense pleasure and pride that I can help myself and others in the house. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate Isha’s great support,” he says with gratitude.
74 AYUSH Isha Organic Health Systems AYUSH is a pioneering holistic health care model with an 4 enhanced focus on preventative aspects of medical care aimed at improving public health status through Indian systems of medicine.
It innovatively and effectively combines Ayurveda, Siddha, Naturopathy, essential Allopathic treatments, yogic practices and physical fitness programs.
Clubbed under the acronym ‘AYUSH’ (Ayurveda, Yogic sciences and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) in India, these systems have the potential to handle the majority of primary health care problems and ensure health security. There is an urgent need for revitalization and preservation of these time-honored medical systems.
This initiative was launched in October 2010, and scientifically documents best practices to promote public health services. It also works to preserve traditional healthcare-related wisdom.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
• 2,864 people screened for anemia, • AYUSH Anemia Awareness offered to 654 are receiving treatment and 363 10,227 people have recovered • 164 Upa-Yoga sessions conducted • 19,115 people received medicines for 10,062 people through 20 AYUSH Sevaks, designated village level volunteers
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SMILING HEALTH Smt. Vijaya is a 40 year-old farmer who lives in a joint family in Semmedu, Thondamuthur and earns D200 per day. Her husband works at Isha Yoga Center as a bullock cart driver earning around D300 per day. She shares: “I used to struggle with tiredness, body ache, and fatigue in my arms and legs. I would be totally exhausted after my work. I thought these symptoms were due to hectic field work and not eating well. One day, while waiting at the Semmedu bus stop, I saw there was a free anemia camp being conducted by AYUSH-Isha. I went and got tested for anemia. My hemoglobin level was 8.8g/dl; I was anemic. They advised me to take dates, spinach, egg, pomegranate and moringa leaves and gave me a deworming tablet and Siddha medicines free of cost, delivered to my doorstep. In 50 days, my hemoglobin level became normal. Now I don’t have tiredness or body ache. Work is more productive now. I am very happy and satisfied with the medicines. “I have no words to express my gratitude. I hope they continue conducting free camps and more people benefit from them. I am grateful to AYUSH- Isha for the service they are rendering.“
Through your generous donations, we are able to address the health needs of local villages and tribal communities. We welcome donations of medicines and medical equipment from individuals and organizations, as well as mobile health vans to expand our reach. Our stationary health clinics require constant updating of infrastructure and equipment, such as hospital beds, IV stands, stretchers, medicine storage cabinets, pharmacy racks, X-ray machines, ultrasound scanners, and immunology and hormone analyzer equipment. Donations towards these or towards expanding our existing clinics or emergency kits would help us provide these important health services to more rural communities.
AN APPEAL ruralrejuvenation.org [email protected] RURAL and Tribal Welfare
Isha’s Rural Rejuvenation initiatives bring joy and exuberance back into the rural experience. They motivate villagers to fnd ways to celebrate life even in the midst of trying circumstances, so that the spirit of joy and hope are not defeated.
By supporting community celebration of traditional festivals and promoting the revival of cultural practices, Isha encourages rural communities to aspire for holistic development and progress and steer their own destiny. Several initiatives have been launched to address the basic needs of the community. These include programs in sanitation and solid waste management, infrastructure, educational scholarships, and life-skills or vocational training.
FEATURED PROJECTS 1) RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS 3) WASTE MANAGEMENT 4 2) VOCATIONAL TRAINING 4) TOILETS IN VILLAGES
77 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing and Wellbeing RURAL
SCHOLARSHIPS 1 Supporting local, tribal students to complete their school/ college education. From Jan-Oct 2019, 54 students have been supported fnancially and in all other aspects to make sure they don’t face any obstacles on their path to fnish their education.
REALIZING MY DREAM
“My name is Rohini. I went to a government school till 12th standard and was longing to pursue my degree. Unfortunately I lost my father, and my mother’s income as a daily laborer did not permit me to achieve my dream of becoming a frst generation graduate.
“My friends suggested that I approach Isha because they were helping my friends pursue their degrees through scholarships and could help me too.
“I immediately expressed my interest through local volunteers, and Swami Tathya came to my house and offered me a scholarship. I’m now pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and my family has a way to come out of a bad fnancial situation. My heartfelt thanks to Isha for helping me achieve my dream.” Rohini, Mulankadu
78 GIVING BACK
“I went to a government school where I fell in love with mathematics. I was easily able to solve all the problems in the textbook. Even though it was my childhood dream to become a doctor, I now aspired to pursue mathematics-related studies.
“Finally, I completed my 12th standard and was ready to go to college. I am the frst child in my whole family who has completed schooling to this level and was aspiring to go to college.
“But my life turned dark; I could not pursue my graduation because of very poor fnancial situation. I was looking for an opportunity that would let me pursue my studies in mathematics. Just as I was preparing to leave for a small job somewhere, I met Swami Tathya who often visits my village. When I informed him about my situation, Swami instantly offered to help.
“To my utter surprise, within a few weeks I managed to secure a seat to pursue my B.Sc. in mathematics.
“I am very happy and confdent that I will graduate and secure a good corporate job. After this struggle I realized a lot of kids in my village are still struggling to pursue their education - not only fnancially but even to understand the curriculum. So I reached out to Swami Tathya and we collaborated to conduct coaching classes which we offer regularly.
“Isha is also supporting me to improve my computer and English skills.
“Once I graduate and position myself in a good company I want to offer fnancial support to the kids in my village like Isha did for me.” Dharma Raja
79 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing and Wellbeing VOCATIONAL TRAINING Isha Yoga Center employs villagers from surrounding areas. 2 Isha’s Rural and Tribal Welfare team works closely with these communities to identify talent, aptitude and interests of young men and women so they may be trained to become gainfully employed. Several enterprising individuals have set up shops at the Adiyogi walkway in the Yoga Center. They have formed self-help groups where women are trained in establishing and managing enterprises, including book-keeping.
ADIYOGI EATERY When twelve women from Thanikandi decided to start a small-scale eatery at Adiyogi with help from the Isha Rural and Tribal Welfare Team, little did they imagine that they would be owners of a thriving business in under a year.
When Swami Chidakasha from Isha’s tribal welfare program first proposed the idea of a women-run With intense training, things turned around. Four eatery to the villagers, there were no takers. This months after they set up shop, they made a profit was despite Isha’s cautious approach based on trust of D1.65 lakhs, and each of them got around D15,000 that was built over years by providing employment in hand. Once they knew they could create wealth to the community. The residents of this largely like this, the transformation was immediate. In their tribal village, without any land holders or diploma very first financial year, their revenue was over D holders, were not ready to think of becoming self- 9 lakhs. Now they are generating employment for empowered. other women, running a buggy and even buying Even after the twelve women made an initial appliances for their homes and clothes for their investment of D200 each and came together, it was families. But most importantly, they have inspired not easy. They had to borrow utensils from their others in their community. own homes, other families and even Isha. That “Swami Chidakasha taught us everything. He was the easy part. The lack of training, focus and taught us how to make tea, how to cook, how to discipline was what would have done them in had serve customers, how to price products, discipline Swami not invested in training them. From making - everything. He gave us confidence that we can tea to keeping accounts and customer service, do this. When we didn’t believe in ourselves, Swami Swami trained them extensively. “It was very tough believed in us and made us do this and demonstrate initially to bring the women together and make to our community what we can achieve. Actually, he them work as a team. They would quarrel, would did most of the work in the first six months and we not come on time, and had no concept of customer took all the profits,” say the women with a mix of service,” says Swami. pride and gratitude.
80 WASTE 3 MANAGEMENT
188.2 TONS OF WASTE COLLECTED JAN-OCT 2019 Smt. Stella, a 33-year old cheerful housewife from between recyclable and decomposable items. Semmedu Village, remembers that a few years ago, Today, a 3-wheeler vehicle comes through the her community had no system for waste disposal. village ringing its bell around 6:30 in the morning She, along with the other villagers, disposed her to collect garbage. Stella says, “It has become kitchen waste and household refuse in a heap of a habit now to put garbage inside the dustbin. trash about 100 meters off the main road. If not I’m happy to see our village now. It appears so here, the villagers would dispose their garbage in hygienic and safe.” open spaces at street corners, under the water tank, Field manager for the waste disposal initiative, or near lamp posts. Streets and ditches littered with 53-year-old B. Venugopal says, “One thing I garbage would attract rodents, stray animals and realized is simple public awareness can bring disease. In the rainy season, clogged drains added to about a massive change in the outlook of people’s the villagers’ woes. minds and on the streets. What matters is the Today, Stella’s habits have changed. In 2015, Isha willingness and courage to take that first step.” visited her village to assist with implementing a new He also says that through education, the program system for waste disposal. has become tremendously successful and has expanded into four more villages, serving nearly Isha volunteers went door to door distributing 1000 homes and shops. two waste bins so villagers could sort their waste
81 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing INSTALLING TOILETS and Wellbeing IN VILLAGES
4 The practice of open defecation still exists in some Indian villages. These areas perpetuate disease and indignity in the community. Recently, Isha implemented a project for construction of toilets in Narasipuram village. This is part of a larger program, supported by Bala Krishna Tyres, to build over 500 toilets in and around local villages outside the Coimbatore region.
LADIES OF NARASIPURAM VILLAGE The ladies of Narasipuram Village feel grateful for their new toilets. During the day, they were embarrassed to be seen in the open area. They waited for dark, but even then, headlights of passing cars would embarrass the ladies. Open defecation created chronic health problems for them, especially for pregnant women and children, and the villagers were constantly spending money on medication for health issues. “In a very short time, Isha delivered on a promise to give us toilets,” reports one village woman. She says, “Our lives have changed dramatically, and we now have dignity and better health.”
NARASIPURAM VILLAGE TOILETS Today, Veluswamy, a 46-year old tailor, travels around his village in a hand-wheeled bicycle because of the polio he contracted at age 1. Every day, he would journey a total of 12 km back and forth to the open defecation site since there’s been no toilet in his house from his birth. In the hot sun, it was quite a struggle, but in the monsoon season, the hardship was inhumane. One day, a volunteer from Isha came to his house and explained their plan to build a toilet for him, at no cost. The toilet was quickly built near his house. “Now that this basic facility has reached me,” he says, “I am able to live a normal life. It has increased my happiness and improved my health. I give my heartfelt thanks to Isha.”
Veluswamy, Narasipuram Village
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Wanting to win, at the same time being willing to lose, handling your victory or failure gracefully, stretching yourself beyond limits, immense focus, a deep level of involvement and respect for others - these are all traits that playing a sport inculcates in a human being.
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84 ISHA Gramotsavam
Celebrating the Sporting Spirit of Rural India
Since 2004, Isha Gramotsavam has been a joyous celebration of the rural spirit. Villages across Tamil Nadu come together to compete and to cheer.
Isha Gramotsavam creates the necessary ambience for men, women, and children of all ages in rural India to come out and play on a daily basis. As a result, sports have become the key to unlock wellbeing and to inspire and revitalize communities. Gramotsavam is one of Isha’s most popular and high-energy outreach initiatives. Gramotsavam translates to “celebration of village life” and showcases the essence of rural Tamil Nadu through an elaborate display of rural games, art, drama, dance, music, and food. The event culminates in a state-wide inter-village sports tournament full of intensity and healthy competition. It is India’s largest rural sports festival.
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TEAM SPORTS and Wellbeing
As part of the efforts of Action for Rural Rejuvenation, team sports and recreation have been encouraged in rural areas of southern India to provide a healthy alternative to the growing problem of abuse and addiction. This simple but powerfully uplifting intervention renews the joy and spirit of communal kinship beyond caste, religion and economic background. Playing games every day in the evening has brought a spectacular change in the lives of many villagers. For women, the blossoming of their self-confidence and spirit of initiative in this space is the bedrock for societal change.
Isha Gramotsavam is creating a wave in Tamil Nadu, which is now spreading to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala in partnership with UNICEF. But more needs to be done. The vision is to make India play, and bring sport into everyone’s life. To do this, we need collaboration with the state governments to conduct tournaments, strengthening sports infrastructure at district and block levels, and platforms for sporting events. We seek contributions and support from committed individuals and companies to create a sporting culture across the nation over the next few years.
[email protected] AN APPEAL KAYANTHA Sthanam
87 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing and Wellbeing
As we have responsibilities for the living, we have responsibilities towards the dead.
In ancient India, processes for the deceased were conducted with great care to ensure a peaceful exit. However, in the last 100-120 years, many of these processes have lost their essence. Furthermore, the basic maintenance and aesthetics of crematorium services have been overlooked.
It is in this context that Isha has undertaken the running of crematoriums in India that are designed and conducted under the guidance of Sadhguru. At Isha, cremations are conducted in a traditional way, with appropriate chants and karmas to benefit the departed life and the grieving families. Isha’s adopted crematoriums also provide services such as tonsure, 16th day karma ceremony and hygienic amenities.
The first Isha-run crematorium opened in 2010 at Nanjundapuram in Coimbatore District. Currently, the Tamil Nadu government has entrusted Isha to undertake the operation of 14 crematoriums in the state.
This project aims to develop and maintain eco-friendly crematorium facilities across the state of Tamil Nadu, which are open to people of all socio-economic and religious backgrounds. The subsidized and fixed fees keep cremations very affordable. Currently, if you visit cremation centers throughout India, you will find these sacred spaces have devolved into scenes of neglect: ramshackle structures, indifferent and stigmatized staff members, polluted and degraded natural environments. Help us revive this ancient tradition. Sadhguru’s vision is to adopt and beautify 1000-3000 crematoriums in India. We seek your help in adopting crematoriums and making this service available to all.
[email protected] AN APPEAL
88 Community Health and Wellbeing
VELLIANGIRI UZHAVAN Farmer Producer Organization
The greatest achievement in this country has been that of our farmers, who have managed to feed 1.25 billion people. It is on us now to help them improve their livelihood, the soil quality, and our food security.
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90 VELLIANGIRI UZHAVAN Farmer Producer Organization
Established under the guidance of Isha Outreach in 2013, Velliangiri Uzhavan is a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) that aims to transform the Indian farmer’s life from one of debt traps, suicide and dwindling resources, to one of prosperity, market access and sustainability. Poised to be the engine of change that rural India needs, this initiative aims to support farming communities to organize themselves into proftable enterprises. A transformation of this scope 11.95 will raise nearly 60% of the population out of poverty. Crore
This movement is fueled by a vision to find micro- and macro- agricultural solutions to the farmer’s bottom line. An FPO creates opportunity for aggregation of marketing, which gives the farmers more market leverage and the possibility to diversify crops without much risk.
Year-On-Year Growth 7.91 Crore Velliangiri Uzhavan Annual FPO became the top FPO in Tamil Nadu turnover by 2017 in terms of annual turnover multiplied and the 13th highest achieving FPO out of 2607 times 769 total FPOs in all of India. in 5 years
2.37 Crore
1.04 Crore 58.58 Lakh 45.83 Thousand
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KEY FEATURES
• One-stop, end-to-end solution for farmers: • Women entrepreneurs: The FPO facilitates Farmers just have to produce the crop. The the active participation and economic FPO handles harvest, de-husking, facilitation development of women. of labour and transport, market negotiation for best price and the fastest payment to • Best prices for buying agricultural farmers through online banking. inputs through FPO’s retail shop.
• Building the farmers’ bargaining power • Free agricultural consultancy: Velliangiri and optimization of market price for Uzhavan guides farmers on increasing crops: Velliangiri Uzhavan has risen to set productivity and reducing cultivation costs. benchmark prices for the entire locality. • Free training and field trips help farmers • Ensuring sustained and high income for to increase soil and produce quality, utilize farmers: Due to economy of scale and irrigation systems and learn and adopt the 360-degree support by the FPO management, latest agricultural technologies and profitable farmers are assured prosperity. methodologies.
• Marketing of multiple varieties of produce: • Efficient administration and transparent a unique feature when compared to other accounting: Our FPO has earned this FPOs that only focus on one or two crops. reputation as it is run by a group of farmers, enabled by the able support of Isha Outreach • Maintaining a harvest calendar: This way, (Resource Institute) the FPO enhances the farmer’s ease of doing agriculture as fair-priced labourers are • Nurtures personal wellbeing of farmers: promptly available when required; labourers Going beyond just economic success of agree to fair pricing for their services since its farmer members, the FPO fosters the they are ensured year-long job security by the individual farmer’s wellbeing through kitchen FPO. gardens, nutritional supplements, health education and Yoga. • Value-added products: the farmer turns into a successful entrepreneur through products like groundnut oil and coconut oil. 92 “We used to wait for months to be paid in arecanut farming. Now we get paid immediately. And in our area, Velliangiri Uzhavan sets the benchmark price of arecanut.” “Velliangiri Uzhavan FPO has come as a boon Kishore, Daliyur to us small farmers. I was thinking of selling my land and quitting farming, but now I wish even my children take up agriculture. It has become a proftable venture.”
Nalini, Pooluvapatti
“My coconuts just have to grow on the tree, that’s all. Velliangiri Uzhavan arranges for harvesting. A “Velliangiri Uzhavan took care of setting up vehicle comes and takes the coconuts to sell in the my drip irrigation from A to Z in just one market. The sales payment is deposited into my day. I just called Moorthy Sir (Agricultural bank account. It’s that easy! Advisor). He came in person and took care of everything.” Earlier, the traders would count our coconuts and cheat us. If I’m not paying attention, they will Angannan, Semmedu count 57 instead of 87. Velliangiri Uzhavan has put an end to this stealing.” Velusamy, Narasipuram
93 Community Health Community Health and Wellbeing and Wellbeing
“Our farmers just have to focus on growing the crop. Velliangiri Uzhavan will market whatever they produce.” Sahaathevan, Manager Velliangiri Uzhavan
“I am a small farmer with two and a half acres of land. I cannot go and negotiate with a trader for a thousand coconuts. Only a big company like Velliangiri Uzhavan can do that.”
Rathnavel, Pullakoundanpudur “Our group of 12 women earn Rs. 30,000 per month by spending just two hours per day producing healthy millet-based foods. Velliangiri Uzhavan markets our products at its outlet shop in Isha Yoga Center. We are very proud to say that we are women entrepreneurs.” Vasantha Lakshmi, Semmedu
We look forward to partnering with committed organizations to empower the farmers of the nation and build an India that will be a model of inclusiveness, where agriculture is a sustainable source of livelihood.
AN APPEAL 94 RAISING HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS ISHA YOGA PROGRAMS
It is our business to see that what is needed for individual wellbeing is not in the hands of organizations, priests, pundits, or gurus but in the hands of each individual.
Isha Yoga programs provide powerful tools for inner exploration. At Isha, Yoga is taught in its full depth and dimension and is transmitted on an experiential level. The programs provide methods for establishing oneself in a way of life that affirms wholeness and vitality.
An array of programs is conducted regularly by Isha worldwide. These include programs conducted for the Indian Army, rural communities, and prisoners. These programs involve simple postures, meditations and powerful ways of transforming one’s energies.
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97 97 YOGA FOR SOLDIERS AT FLOATING DOCK 21 June, Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar): On the 5th International Day of Yoga, Sadhguru led a Yoga session at the iconic Floating Dock of the Indian Navy in Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar FREE INNER ENGINEERING Islands. Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar DRAWS TREMENDOUS Command (ANC) along with senior officers and over 500 personnel and families of the Indian Army, RESPONSE Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard participated in 700,000+ PEOPLE REGISTERED the event. Talking about how the practice of Yoga can benefit those in the defence forces, Sadhguru FOR FREE INNER ENGINEERING said, “The job demands you to always have an ONLINE IN 72 HOURS upper hand, otherwise it could cost your life and On the occasion of Diwali 2019, Inner the wellbeing of the nation. It’s very important that Engineering Online (IEO) was offered for free our forces have all the necessary tools to be at their across the globe. The way people responded best.” He further spoke about his deep connection in 72 hours was remarkable and this online to the forces, saying, “Someone asked me why year outreach effort seems to be the way forward after year I’m with the defense forces not with towards realizing Sadhguru’s vision of touching my yoga family, so I told her if people who are everyone with one drop of spirituality. willing to live and die for your well-being, if they are not your family then who is your family?”
My interest is seven billion people, not a billion dollars.
98 Raising Human Consciousness INDIAN ARMY UNDERGOES TRANSFORMATIVE A LIFE-ENHANCING PROGRAM HATHA YOGA Far from their daily rugged routine, PROGRAM AT IYC in the serene setting of the Yoga Center, the Army men made the most of their A total of 64 personnel of the Indian Army 14-day routine, soaking in the calm beauty and giving underwent a 14-day Isha Hatha Yoga training themselves totally to the experience. At the end of program at the Isha Yoga Center from 4th to 2 weeks, every participant felt he had been touched 18 August. The majority of the participants in some way by the residential session that offered were Physical Training instructors from the wholesome food, hospitality and powerful tools of self- Army Physical Training Core (APTC), led by transformation. Major Nitin Joshi, also known as the “Iron Man” of the Indian Army for his outstanding records.
The Yoga modules, designed by Sadhguru, are particularly suited to the lifestyle and harsh terrains that the army operates in. The objective is for every soldier to benefit from this ancient science of wellbeing which can offer the highest levels of physical, mental and emotional fitness and balance that their job demands.
“As far as our experience in the last ffteen days here is concerned, we learned Angamardana which is like Sanjeevani for us - because we have frequently seen that as soldiers age, and especially if they spend time in gruesome conditions, their ftness suffers to some extent. As practitioners of structured PT we get this apprehension in our mind that there’s no space to walk as we might have to sit in a bunker for four days at a stretch. The thought that comes to our mind is that we can’t even flex our muscles. But we can practice this in a very structured way in a 6x6 [ft] area. We can start with Upa-Yoga, and do all the asanas with increasing difficulty levels as a part of Angamardana.”
Major Vishal Hooda
99 RURAL YOGA PROGRAMS Isha Yoga distills powerful, ancient methods from the yogic sciences for a modern person, creating peak physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Thanks to generous donors, Isha Yoga programs in rural Tamil Nadu are heavily subsidized. The objective of these programs is to empower people with a stable inner climate that is beyond strife and stress.
Isha Yoga Programs are designed by Sadhguru and customized for each segment of the population so that they derive maximum benefits. In rural communities where the daily challenges of poverty can be overwhelming, these Yoga programs revitalize the spirit and promote holistic wellbeing so that people are physically, mentally and emotionally empowered with stability and clarity in the face of challenges, enabling them to find solutions.
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FROM CONSTANT FRICTION TO EASE A newly married couple, Dhanasekaran and Stella, had constant friction in their marriage, and then they discovered Yoga... LIFE WITHOUT LIQUOR
“There wasn’t one liquor shop in Coimbatore that I didn’t step into, but thankfully today I can say that was my previous life. I had read several books on Yoga, but had never done a proper program. Fortunately, in my lowest phase, an opportunity arose to be part of a Yoga program in my village.
“I inquired about it to my friends who had attended it earlier, and they said, ‘Just go do it!’ After completing 7 days of the class, for the frst time in a long time, I felt wonderful within myself without substances. I began volunteering very often. I saw I was able to give my fullest when I was doing this “I work for a cruise line and am constantly away from selfless activity and was able to experience pure joy. home and my family. Before going on the ship, I would Since then, I’ve introduced many other people to have to buy medicines worth D2,000. But after attending Isha. The volunteering activity became so engaging the Isha Yoga Program, over time the need for medication that I easily came out of my liquor addiction. I no stopped. I naturally became intrigued and started to longer needed liquor to feel happy. volunteer for more Yoga programs whenever I was off work. “In a twist of fate, I am now regarded as an Isha representative in this area, and everyone approaches “This really bothered my wife Stella. Wondering what I me frst when they want to visit the Isha Yoga was going through, she would always question me about Center. I feel a renewed sense of purpose being able this Yoga, and I would just tell her, ‘You simply have to to inspire others and witness their transformation.” come and experience the class for yourself.’ She fnally agreed after multiple invitations. During her program, Shaktivel, 43 something touched her deeply and she was crying out of Alandurai joy; the Yoga made her feel wonderful.
“Somehow, we have both realized that life is so sweet, and I would like to thank Sadhguru and Isha for giving us such wonderful tools. Our marriage has become much smoother and the Yoga has given us both peace of mind, so there are no more unnecessary fghts. My mother-in- law and father-in-law have noticed our transformation and I have also convinced them to do the Isha Yoga Program.”
Dhanasekaran, 33 Kallipalayam
101 PRISON YOGA PROGRAMS For more than 25 years, Isha has conducted Yoga programs in Central Prisons all over Tamil Nadu for prisoners and police alike. Since 1992, prison programs have served approximately 17,000 participants. These programs were established by Sadhguru in order to provide inner freedom for the imprisoned as an offering for a forgotten segment of humanity.
The Yoga programs help inmates develop emotional and mental balance, responsibility, acceptance and communication skills. These learnings not only improve their lives while incarcerated but provide tools to successfully cope in society once released. Prisoners develop an inner awareness which helps them examine the roots of their aggression and violent behavior and handle the complexities of their imprisonment. These life-transforming programs have touched the very core of the prisoners and have helped them bloom into a natural state of love, freedom, and joy – free from anger and hatred. Over the years, these programs have transformed many hardened criminals into sage- like beings.
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AS SADHGURU SAYS, “WHEN YOU STEP INTO A PRISON, YOU WILL FEEL THAT PAIN IS IN THE AIR.”
“For the last 10 years I’ve been visiting and teaching Yoga in prisons. In the initial few days of the class, it is very difficult just to make people come and sit in the Yoga program. They are either not interested or are unable to sit on the ground. But after the frst few sessions, something catches on and they start to open up.
“In most of the prisons that we continuously visit, the volunteers happen to be the long-term prisoners. They are the ones who help us set up the class, audio, carpets, do the cleaning, etc. I feel very good within myself when I see people in such a stressful atmosphere go through such miraculous transformation. I thank Sadhguru for the opportunity.” - Swami Udaaradhi, Isha Yoga Teacher
STAYING POSITIVE FROM RESISTANCE TO LONGING
A prisoner serving a life sentence told Isha When Isha volunteers approached one of the new volunteers that she used to cry and be prisoners, he resisted and said he was not in a condition depressed, knowing that she would spend to sit and enjoy a program. It was with great difficulty the rest of her life in jail. 10 years ago, she that they convinced him to attend the first day. Though attended the Isha program in the prison. he informed the volunteers that it was very likely that Ever since then, she has felt transformed. he would get bail and be out of jail before finishing the She volunteers year after year to make it course, they still requested him to continue attending happen for the other inmates. the class. To their utter surprise, he completed the Full of confidence, she says, “If I ever get course. What he shared on his last day, in front of all the opportunity to get out of jail, I will the other prisoners and teacher, left them awestruck. prove that I can live a better life than I did He confessed that the last 3 days of the class, he simply in the past. A big thanks to Isha because could not sleep. He said, “I would just stay up, praying even if my extersituation is not the best, I to God that I don’t get bail as I cannot afford to lose the feel positive inside.” opportunity to complete this program.”
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Youth have enormous potential. If we can inspire them to identify with humanity as a whole, the impact on the world will be tremendous.
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105 EMPOWERING Our Youth Has Never Been More Crucial
When the Youth & Truth movement was launched in September 2018 in India, it took the country by storm. Sadhguru’s invitation to the youth to ask him whatever they want opened a barrage and millions of questions poured in. Campuses that Sadhguru visited around the country were packed to the brim and overflowing.
Offering no advice, morals or teachings, Sadhguru engaged thousands of students in free-wheeling conversations that covered a stupendous range of topics from the mundane to the mystical and everything in between. Youth and Truth has become one of Isha’s “coolest” movements and in 2019 the movement spread to Europe and North America.
INDIA HAS THE • According to the National • Indian youth have the highest LARGEST YOUTH Mental Health Survey, 1 in 12 suicide rate in the world. A youth suffer mental illness. student commits suicide every POPULATION hour in India. IN THE WORLD • 40% of students experience depression or tension due to • India is home to 10 million (16-35 YEARS) academic pressure. victims of drug abuse.
Unfortunately, a majority of the youth have no source of profound wisdom and insight. A time of life filled with immense potential and possibilities is also the time of greatest uncertainty and vulnerability. With no sane voice offering guidance and clarity, many young people flounder or lose their way with disastrous consequences. Sadhguru launched Youth and Truth to offer wisdom and clarity to those who seek the truth on issues that matter most to them
2019 YOUTH AND TRUTH A MOVEMENT TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER THE YOUTH - IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD INSPIRING YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD 60 EVENTS AT PREMIER INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA, EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
International events in 2019 included Harvard University Columbia University University of Michigan London School of Economics University of Toronto
349 million+ online views 3 billion+ impressions
Over 100,000 questions submitted on social media
107 “This is my introduction to Sadhguru and the Youth and Truth SADHGURU HAS A MASSIVE program. The atmosphere is defnitely not something you can just experience through a screen. Attending in person was very CONNECT WITH TODAY’S unique to experience - it’s wonderful and I was not expecting it GENERATION at all...He opened my eyes to answers to questions I didn’t even know I had!” Over 6.7 million youth view Daniel, University of Toronto his Facebook posts every week and watch his YouTube videos over 11 million times a month.
“I came in blank, not knowing a lot about Sadhguru. He cuts right to the heart of questions, and that was impressive to me. Some answers surprised me; there were many moments when I realized, ‘Wow, that’s not how I think.’ I still have to process some of it to see if its aligning with me, but it was good to be exposed to other ideas for me to decide what makes sense. I feel like I’m going to be thinking about some of the things that were talked about for a while!” Tollen, Columbia University
“Everyone was trying to seek clarity in vision, a direction besides their good education, of which way to go forward, and Sadhguru was very profound as usual - I don’t think I even blinked my eyes. I was so focused. I’m pursuing my PhD right now, but I’m also kind of looking for purpose. After completing my PhD, I wonder what I should do. I have no idea. It’s embarrassing but that is the fact that I am going through right now. So someone asked him, ‘Sadhguru, what is my purpose?’ and he said that there is no god- given purpose and that you do what is needed for the society and the time. I think that really cleared up a huge thing for me. It was a very profound experience.” Sonam, Columbia University
UNDER 25 SUMMIT – THE LARGEST YOUTH-CENTRIC FESTIVAL IN INDIA Sadhguru addressed over 4,000 young people as part of a “Youth and Truth” event at the Under 25 Summit held in Bangalore where he shared the stage with popular young YouTube stars Prajakta Kohli, Nikhil Sharma, and Nikunj Lotia.
108 Raising Human Consciousness WHY DO YOUTH FIND SADHGURU APPEALING? Well, the bike, the shades, the snakes, the attitude of adventure and unorthodoxy all play a role. But the main reason is his ability to “tell it like it is” about anything. Always spot on. No frills. Just the bare truth.
EXPLORE TRUTH NOT WITH THE SERIOUSNESS OF GOSPEL BUT WITH THE PLAYFULNESS OF GOSSIP
Having visited Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and Oxford in the past, there is an exponential increase in the number of international universities that Sadhguru receives invitations from. With your support, Youth and Truth can continue to touch youth around the world. AN APPEAL 110 OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE
This report is dedicated to all our donors and volunteers who have made Isha Outreach what it is today.
It is thanks to their generous support and contributions that we are able to reach out and touch the lives of so many in rural India. We express our heartfelt gratitude to each one of them.
IT IS ALSO OUR DREAM AND VISION to scale up these initiatives in the coming years and improve the quality of life for millions of rural and tribal people across the nation. Large-scale social transformation cannot happen without the continuous and consistent support of a substantial group of committed people and organizations who are willing to put the wellbeing of others before themselves. We require your support in creating a better world for our future generations, where human beings can find a conducive atmosphere to blossom to their full potential. Reach out to us if you wish to know more or get involved.
Rally for Rivers: Rural and Tribal Welfare: AN APPEAL [email protected] [email protected] Cauvery Calling: Farmer Producer Organization: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Kayanta Sthanam: (CSR related enquiries) [email protected] [email protected] (partnerships and grants) Sponsor Care: [email protected] Project GreenHands: [email protected] Rural Education: [email protected] Action for Rural Rejuvenation: [email protected] Rural and Tribal Welfare: [email protected] Farmer Producer Organization: [email protected] Isha Gramotsavam: [email protected] A world full of love, light and laughter – its time has come. Let us make it happen. Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, Ishana Vihar Post, Coimbatore-641114 isha.sadhguru.org | 83000 83111