Compassion Cannot Choose Anukampa 2020 | 2 around usshallalwaysbetheguiding “Anukampa orEmpathyforalllife force ofallthatwedo.” Anukampa 2020 | 3 6 5 4 3 ENVIRONMENT 2 HIGHLIGHTS 1 FOREWORD Table ofContents With SadhguruinChallenging Times Prison Yoga Programs Free Yoga Programs Rural Yoga Programs Inner EngineeringOnline RAISING HUMANCONSCIOUSNESS Kayantha Sthanam Isha Gramotsavam Save TheWeave Farmer ProducerOrganization Rural andTribal Welfare Action forRuralRejuvenation Disaster Relief COMMUNITY HEALTH ANDWELLBEING Government SchoolSupportProgram Isha Vidhya RURAL EDUCATION Waghadi NadiPunarjeevan Prakalp Green SchoolMovement Isha AgroMovement Rally forRivers-CauveryCalling Conscious Planet Anukampa 2020 | 4 Love &Blessings, Let’s make itHappen. in thisgeneration. and toseeingthatthismissionwillreach itspeak We lookforwardtoyousupportingthismovement lives tobemoreconsciousandcompassionate. more consciousplanet,andtohelpingpeopleupgradetheir Many thousandsofushavededicatedourlivestocreatinga This workinvolvesallthedimensionsofourlives. our economyandhowweimparteducationtochildren. about theenvironment.Thisworkishowweconduct we foundit.ThisworkisaboutHumanBeings. This isourtime.LetuscreateamoreConscious Planetthan human onthisplanet. above allonethatwillmanifestthegoodnessofbeing Consciousness thatis moreinclusive,compassionate,and than everbefore.TheonlythingthatismissingHuman people havemorecomfortsandconveniencesintheirlives The worldhasreachedaplacewhere,fueledbytechnology, Foreword found it. Planet thanwe more Conscious Let uscreate a Anukampa 2020 | 5 Highlights 2020

5.2 million farmers will augment their Cauvery income by 300-800% 9-12 trillion liters Calling of water estimated to be Aims to revitalize the sequestered in the Cauvery river and improve Cauvery basin farmers’ socioeconomic status through tree- 1/3rd of the 83,000 km2 based agriculture. Cauvery basin to be brought under tree cover 1.1 crore saplings planted in 2020 across 28 Cauvery basin districts and 189 taluks in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Highlights 2020 29,911 hectares of farmlands Waghadi Nadi 285 km2 of Waghadi basin Punarjeevan 40 villages Prakalp in Yavatmal district 54 km Aims to rejuvenate the stretch of Waghadi Waghadi river and bring river prosperity to farmers of Yavatmal district. 9,000+ farming families 7,000 landless farmers Highlights 2020

8,946 Isha students impacted* 5,393 Vidhya full scholarship Delivers quality education to students * children from economically 48% disadvantaged backgrounds girl students in rural India. 100% pass rate for Class 10 and 12

*as of September 30, 2020 Highlights 2020

11.3 million Community people impacted 5.2 million Health and patients treated 7,500 villages Wellbeing covered in southern India Aims to transform the 542 toilets lives of India’s rural poor constructed for through a range of health, livelihood and community rural communities revitalization programs. 173.5 tons waste collected in 2020 Highlights 2020 Beat the Virus

Isha’s ground action plan to combat COVID-19 adopts a holistic approach with special emphasis on prevention, raising awareness and providing nourishment to communities.

200,000 people residing near Isha Yoga Center impacted 1,488,415 servings of Kashayam 549,726 meals served 66,892 frontline workers benefited from Protective Kit distribution 129,000 people benefited from awareness building activities Highlights 2020

Best FPO Farmer Award won at the Outlook Agriculture Producer Conclave 1,063 Organization members Established in 2013 to 38% enhance farmers’ bargaining women members power and ensure sustained high incomes. Over 70% of members are small & marginal farmers 5 tons of vegetables exported for the first time Highlights 2020

Raising 270,000+ registrations for Inner Engineering Human Online in multiple Consciousness languages 1 million+ views for Simha Kriya Helps equip individuals with mental and physical wellbeing 500 Yoga sessions through Yogic tools that bring for 130,000 people inner balance and clarity. conducted on the International Day of Yoga 15,589 participants touched this year by the Prison Yoga Program 17 million+ views for “With Sadhguru in Challenging Times” sessions Anukampa 2020 | 13

Environment Whatever we do for the environment“ today is not service – it is a matter of survival. Conscious Planet

“There is only one problem on this planet – the Human Being – the only source of the ecological crisis the planet faces today. If any other species had created the kind of problem that Human Beings have created, we would have found immediate solutions. If a trillion locusts had come and caused the kind of damage we have, we would have just found a way to exterminate all of them. But right now, it is we who are these locusts. We are causing this damage by functioning unconsciously and compulsively. So, the

15 solution can only be to make Human Beings function consciously. It is only when the multifarious activities of our societies move into a conscious mode that our activities can be oriented toward a solution. We have been the source of the problem, we can also become the source of the solution. In this context, creating a

Anukampa 2020 | Conscious Planet is the most important goal, as it is only human activity which is causing the damage.

The Conscious Planet initiative aims to bring the consciousness of who we are, what we are on this planet and what the planet is to us, in an experiential way. We must work towards creating a planet where a large number of Human Beings act consciously, governments are elected consciously, where ecological issues become election issues in the world. It is imperative that key influencers take ownership of this movement to build awareness among the larger population and move communities and governments towards more responsible environmental action.”

There is only one problem on this planet – the Human Being – the only source of the ecological crisis the planet faces today. Anukampa 2020 | 16 Anukampa 2020 | 17 leadership. and inclusive embrace conscious millions oflives,to decisions affect leaders whose important for It isparticularly Anukampa 2020 | 18 to pitch stronglyforunified actionto addressclimate change. Benioff; andconservationist JaneGoodalltook thestagewithSadhguru Waughray; thePresidentof Colombia IvánDuque;Salesforce CEOMarc Leading voicesfromaroundthe globe,includingWEFMDDominic this hastochange. the lastfewyearsandtreeshavetocomebackif value offoodweeathascomedownby40%over shade. Healsopointedoutthatthenutritional 60% ofthesoilonplanetneedstobeputunder maintain fertilesoil,richinorganiccontent,50- During theevent,Sadhguruexplainedthatto global treecoverageto4trillion. trees worldwidebytheendofdecade,taking Organization (FAO), whichaimstoplant1trillion Programme (UNEP)andFoodAgriculture initiative bytheUnited NationsEnvironment Trillion Tree community.Trillion Trees isan WEF platformthataimstobringtogetherthe Sadhguru spoke atthelaunchof1t.org,amajor Economic Forum2020(WEF). Switzerland, afteradecadetoattendtheWorld In January,SadhguruwasbackinDavos, Initiative the Trillion Tree 2020 inDavos for Economic Forum Sadhguru atWorld conscious andinclusiveleadership. decisions affectmillionsoflives,toembrace is particularlyimportantforleaderswhose inner wellbeing.Healsoreiteratedthatit see headsofnationstalkingaboutyogaand Sadhguru observedthatitisincredibleto business, academiaandglobalorganizations. for themostinfluentialleadersinpolitics, sessions andahalf-dayConsciousness Retreat Sadhguru conductedmorningmeditation Sessions Meditation Anukampa 2020 | 19 Cauvery Calling Cauvery Rally forRivers and theirpotential forglobalimpact. Programme (UNEP) basedonitsassessment ofIsha’secologicalinitiatives Environment AssemblyinJuly, 2020bytheUnited NationsEnvironment Isha wasaccreditedwithObserver StatustotheUnited Nations assistance fortheCauvery Calling project. formally extendedsupportforIsha’sworkandoffered toprovidetechnical Union forConservation ofNature(IUCN)inFebruary,2020.IUCNhas Isha hasbeenacceptedasamemberorganizationof the International Recognition in2020 water securityandfarmerwelfarein40villagesYavatmal. will notonlyreviveWaghadi river, butwillalsopositivelyimpactfoodand many years,causingextremedistressamongthefarmershere.Thisproject basin inMaharashtrahasbeenseverelyhitbysoilandwaterdepletionsince rejuvenation oftheWaghadi riverinYavatmal district.The Waghadi river invite Ishatoworkwiththestateagriculturedepartmenttowards The RfRmovementhasalsoinspiredthegovernmentofMaharashtrato farmers’ incomesmanifoldandgivessignificantecologicalbenefits. agriculture. Asperourexperience,thisnature-basedinterventionincreases crisis byencouragingfarmersoftheCauverybasintoadopttree-based and foodsecurityoftheregiontoday.CauveryCallingaimstocombatthis an alarming40%inthelastfewdecadesposesabigthreattowater being implementedasCauveryCalling.Depletionoftheriverby dramatic impetustothescalingupofIsha’s23-yeargrassrootwork,now This world’slargestpeople-drivenecologicalmovementprovideda SoFar The Story the formulationofgovernmentpolicyforriverrevitalization. the campaigngarneredsupportofover162millionpeople,andhelpedin Launched in2017bySadhgurutorevitalizeIndia’srapidlydepletingrivers, Rally forRivers(RfR)isamovementtosaveIndia’slifelines–therivers. Anukampa 2020 | 20 depleting. Everyone whoconsumes “ awareness thatourriversare water mustRally forRivers. This isacampaigntoraise This isnotanagitation. This isnotaprotest. Anukampa 2020 | 21 “ Cauvery forabrieftime.We havethe opportunity Legacy ofAbundance. Thisisthebesttribute we to becomethegenerationthat restoresher We, asageneration,arethecustodians of can paytoaLife thathasnurturedus. Anukampa 2020 | 22 Cauvery Calling Cauvery 12 trillionlitersofwaterintheCauverybasin. planting 242croretreeswillsequester9to farmers by300-800%.Itisestimatedthat boost theincomeofapprox.5.2million Growing high-valuetreeswillsignificantly tree-based farmingintheriverbasin. Calling campaignadvocatesthepracticeof Marrying ecologywitheconomy,theCauvery Cauvery basinthroughtree-basedagriculture. 242 croretreesontheirownfarmlandsinthe Cauvery riverbysupportingfarmerstoplant campaign toinitiatetherevitalizationof Cauvery Callingisamassiveon-ground 2030 undertheParis Agreement. equivalent to8-12%ofIndia’sNDCsfor 300 milliontonsofCO2 by2030,whichis estimates, theprojectwillsequester200- meeting globalecologicalgoals.Asper Cauvery Callingwillalsocontributeto tropical world–hometo4.7billionpeople. revitalizing India’sriversbutacrossthe Calling willnotonlysetthestandardfor ensuring thatCauveryflowsagain. km. ofCauverybasinundertreecover, while This willbringone-thirdofthe83,000sq. Anukampa 2020 | 23 implementation changeddrastically.Thephysical The goalremainedthesamebutmodeof and stayontarget. up anewdigitaloutreachplantocounterthischallenge With lockdown clampedonthenation,teamdrew however, broughtallon-groundactivitiestoahalt. The mushroomingspecteroftheCOVID-19 pandemic, on-ground outreachprograms. to connectwithfarmersandorganizelarge-scale 27 CauverybasindistrictsofTamil NaduandKarnataka these plans,theCauveryCallingteamhadfannedoutto all partsofapacked calendarforthisyear. Insyncwith to popularizetree-basedfarmingintheregionwere Large farmertrainingeventsandvisitstomodelfarms was plannedoutmeticulouslyandwellinadvance. The plantingseason,scheduledtobegininearly2020, Planting Season Mobilizing Farmers forthe2020 Project Updates Cauvery Calling Cauvery them tocollectsaplings. every dayandhelpedthemlocatenurseriesclosestto queries inKannadaandTamil between9amandpm Over 120trainedvolunteersansweredfarmers’ A 12-hourfarmers’helplinewasalsosetup. farmers aspossible. these contactsoptimallyandcontactasmany in eachofthe57taluksKarnatakatoleverage farmers, NadiVeeras shortlisted10influentialfarmers Sifting throughanexhaustivedatabaseof19,000 identified andenlistedaswell. a collectivereachofover400,000members,were The mostactivefarmers’groupsonFacebook, with reach exponentiallythroughtheirownlocalnetwork. Karnataka andTamil Nadu,whohelpedmultiplythe groups wereformedtoreachthousandsoffarmersin campaigns, localmediaandpress.84farmerWhatsApp and Facebook groups offarmingcommunities,SMS re-strategized andreachedoutthroughWhatsApp outreach nowdonnedadigitalavatarasthecoreteam Anukampa 2020 | 24 meeting ouroveralltargetof1.1croresaplings. in Tamil Nadualsospiked, keeping uswellontrackof Karnataka whiledemandforsaplingsinIsha’snurseries lakh saplingswerepicked upfromForestnurseriesin shown bythefarmercommunity,paidoff.Sixty-three from KarnatakaGovernmentofficials,andenthusiasm field volunteersalongwiththetremendoussupport The relentlesseffortsoftheNursery Team andon- with freemasks. educated onCOVID-19 safetyguidelinesandprovided saplings. Thosewhocameinwithoutmaskswere villagers madeabeelinetonurseriespurchase accordance withGovernmentguidance,farmersand After June5whensaplingdistributionstartedin capacity despitethepandemic. as allournurserieswerereadywithsaplingsatfull reduced manpower, theNurseryTeam worked wonders daily bytherespectiveNurseryIncharge.Even with of lockdown, thesaplingswerecaredforandwatered standards andallsafetymeasures.Duringthefirstphase while strictlyadheringtosocialdistancing,hygiene resumed productionandnurserymaintenanceactivity norms fornurseriesandagriculturalactivities,teams In mid-May, aftertheGovernmentrelaxedlockdown number andvarietiesofsaplingsneeded. farmers callingin-names,phonenumbers,andthe At ournurseries,teamcollecteddetailsofthe the Pandemic Operationsduring Nursery Cauvery Calling Cauvery farmers enabled 30,000 saplings picked up 1.1 crore trained volunteers 120 farmers’ helpline 12-hour farmer WhatsAppgroups 84

Anukampa 2020 | 25 plantations in the first three years. plantations inthefirstthreeyears. a significantsupportforfarmertoestablishthe to anincentiveofRs50,000perhectarewhichis Aranya ProtsahaYojane” scheme.Thiswilltranslate 14 high-valuespeciesin90nurseriesunderthe“Krushi first threeyearsandalsoreadied7millionsaplingsof of Rs125forfarmerseverysurvivingtreeduringthe Department ofKarnatakaalsoannouncedanincentive On topofourteam’seffort,theStateForest Government by Karnataka Incentive during COVID-19 Rising totheChallenges Milestones Cauvery Calling Cauvery Nadu andKarnataka. Cauvery basindistrictsand189taluksinTamil in the2020plantingseason,covering28 farmers toplantanincredible1.1croresaplings The CauveryCallingteamhasenabled30,000 saplings planted 1.1 crore approximately 5millionfarmers. teamwork overcameallhurdles toreachout But, theteam’sadaptability, resilienceand outreach wasnecessitated bythepandemic. An abruptchangeofplans from physicaltodigital million farmers Outreach to5 Anukampa 2020 | 26 matter ofjust3weekstoaddressqueries. 2 months,andabackend appwascreatedina which dealtwithawhopping26,000callsinjust were trainedtomanagethefarmers’helpline Even duringthelockdown period,120volunteers helpline the farmers’ 26,000 callson Cauvery Calling Cauvery farmer events campaigns at Awareness farming toassesstheirneeds. visited farmerswillingtotake uptree-based around Mysuru.Later, the CauveryCallingteam much interestamongfarmersfromvillages February 14.Theeventsucceededingenerating under CauveryCallingheldinKarnatakaon converged atthefirst-evertrainingprogram Department ofKarnataka,and250farmers tree-based farming,topofficialsoftheForest and promotetree-basedagriculture.Expertson Nadi Veeras hadsetupastalltoraiseawareness take partintheSutturuMuttJatrefair, where region flocked toMysurufromJanuary21-26 More than2millionfarmersfromacrossthe Anukampa 2020 | 27 districts 23 locations 45 acres offarmland 331 in individualfarmlands saplings planted 450-15,000 saplings 1.26 lakh visionary environmentalist. joined handstopayafittinghomagethe This yearfortheplantingseasonfarmersandvolunteers improve thegreencoverofstate. dedicated hislifetoinspirepeopleplanttreesand An ArignarAnnaawardeeandavidtreeplanter, hehad for agriculturistsandenvironmentalistsoftheregion. farmers ofTamil Naduisahugesourceofinspiration from Pudukkottai, increatingawarenessamong The indeliblecontributionsofThangasamy,whohailed staunch advocateoftree-basedfarming. respected farmers,arenownedenvironmentalistand son ofMaramThangasamy,oneTamil Nadu’smost awaited thearrivalofchiefguestThangaKannan, with activityasfarmers,armedsaplings,eagerly the launchofaplantationdrive.Thevenuewasabuzz farmers andCauveryCallingvolunteersgatheredat unfolded attheSenthakudivillageinPudukkottai as In September, anemotionally-charged,historicmoment A Tribute toMaramThangasamy Painting itGreen Plantation Drives

Cauvery Calling Cauvery environmentalist ofTamil Nadu Late Maram Thangasamy,visionary Anukampa 2020 | 28 soil healthandwaterefficiencytechnologies. offered theirexpertisetofarmersonmixedplantations, each individualfarm.NadiVeeras alsovisitedfarms,and no boundsas400to10,000saplingswereplantedin advance fromIshaNurseries.Theirenthusiasmknew were readywithsaplingsthattheyhadpicked upin And, whatagreentributeitturnedouttobe–farmers development andself-sufficiency. India’s freedommovementwhochampionedrural anniversary ofMahatmaGandhi,thearchitect plantation drivetocommemoratethe151stbirth thousands offarmerstoflagoffaweek-long tree Cauvery Callingvolunteerstroopedoutalongwith Early morningonOctober2,mammothteamsof Commemorating MahatmaGandhi Cauvery Calling Cauvery districts 50 acres offarmland 285 timber treesplanted saplings ofhigh-value 1.16 lakh in individualfarmlands saplings planted 400-10,000 tree plantingdrive 7-day 23 locations

Anukampa 2020 | 29 Sharings Cauvery Calling Cauvery the saplingsgrow well.” not onlygivesaplingsbutwill alsoensurethat to them.ItellthemthatIsha volunteerswill Isha Nurseriesacrossthestate whichIprovide memorized 40differenttelephone numbersof I askthemtogoIshaNurseries. Ihave help ontree-basedfarmingortreeplantation, Today, whenever anybodyapproachesmefor father’s dreamscometrue. cause willdefinitelygoalongwaytomake my effort togetpeopletogetherforthisgreen commendable spiritshownbyIshaandits events honormyfather’slifetimeefforts.This up treeplantationdrives.Ifeelthatallthese always celebratesimportantdaysbytaking Jayanti. ItisveryhearteningtonotehowIsha tree plantationdrivetomarktheGandhi Isha volunteerstookupanothermassive after thiseventheldinmyfather’smemory, easy feattoachieveonground.Immediately plant 1.26lakhsaplings.Thisisnotatallan death anniversary,Ishamotivatedfarmersto Recently, tocommemoratemyfather’s were alwayswithhim. or anyothercampaign,Ishaanditsnurseries awareness andsupportfortreeplantation Isha. Beitmyfather’scyclerallytogenerate father inhistreeplantationmission–that’s organization whichalwayssupportedmy long andsomedidn’t,buttherewasone along theway.Somestoodbyhimfor A lotofpeoplewereassociatedwithhim his lifelongmission. the earlydayswhenhemadethisgreencause especially amongfarmers.Iwaswithhimfrom efforts topopularizetree-basedagriculture, “My fatheriswellknowninTamil Naduforhis Son ofMaram Thangasamy Thanga Kannan Cauvery Calling

Mohan Prasad Farmer, Madurai

“My association with tree-based farming began four to five years back after completing Inner Engineering. In the same session, the volunteers introduced us to tree-based farming. I was inspired and wanted to do something on similar lines, but since I am not from a farming background, I knew I would require a lot of help. 30 When I shared my plans with my family, my parents were a bit apprehensive, but my wife was quite supportive.

After some deliberation I bought a 2-acre plot of land and then approached the Isha volunteers Anukampa 2020 | for help. They trained me and gave me a live demonstration on tree-based farming and how to use natural pesticides and fertilizers to keep my farm organic. My interest peaked when I found out that the yield from an organic farm fetches a good price in the market. When I began farming on my plot, I also planted timber trees on its periphery. On the advice of the volunteers I bought another 5-acre plot of land.

Later, to satisfy my queries, Isha volunteers took me to three natural farms where I was astounded to note how inter-cropping was thriving alongside timber trees. The farmers told me that while the timber trees were their fixed deposits, the other crops on the farm took care of their daily and monthly expenses.

I then decided to plant trees in all 7 acres of my farmland. In October when Isha conducted a Isha has guided me through my journey. The plantation drive to mark Gandhi Jayanti, I bought volunteers tested the soil, told me about the 2500 saplings. Now, my farm has 3500 timber right saplings to plant and about effective trees, and within a few years it will look like water management. Thanks to Isha for a small forest. This is the fixed deposit for my planting this vision in my mind and helping to future and that of my family. transform this dream into a reality.” Anukampa 2020 | 31 Cauvery Calling Cauvery quite overwhelming. and offerwhateverassistancetheycan.It’s nuances, theyexpressreadinesstosupport we explainthescopeofprojectsandtheir know SadhguruandCauveryCalling.Once of thepeopleInowcomeincontactwith in Bengaluru.Even inremotevillages,80% proved tobeacompleteshiftfrommylife “Working asaNadiVeera inKarnatakahas Nadi Veera Sharath the spectrumapproveofandsupport.” movement whichsomanypeoplefromacross Never inmylife,haveIbeenpartofa of thiscampaign. Everyone issoexcitedtobepart did itoccurtomethatthevirusmightaffectme. threat ofCOVID-19 didn’tdeterme.Notonce me totallyimmersedintheactivity.Even the basis, areoneofthemanyreasonsthatkeep Such interactions,whichhappenonaregular between ushadchanged. meeting. Within30–40minutes,theequation A uniquebondhappenedbetweenusinthat noticed hewasholdingbackhistears. for thecountryandpeople.Atonepoint,I dedicated threeyearsofourlifetotheproject, He wasalsomovedtoknowthatwehad inability tomeeteventheirdailyneeds. in theregion–severewatershortageand He narratedindetailtheproblemsoffarmers interest andthenopenedup. But, aftersometime,hestartedshowing facing meortakingpartintheconversation. One ofhisfriendsstoodaloof.Hewasn’t Once wewenttomeetaninfluentialfarmer.

Cauvery Calling

In 2017, Sadhguru launched Rally for Rivers. 32 Raghu It really inspired me, and in 2018, I planted 1000 saplings. With the help of Cauvery Chikkanerele Calling, this year I bought another 1500 Farmer, Mysuru saplings. I intercropped the trees with sweet potatoes to keep the soil fertile and earn some extra income. It has already been five months Anukampa 2020 | “I am from Mysuru district, Periyapatna Taluka since I planted sweet potatoes and time has in Karnataka. I am from a farmer family, but come for harvesting the crop. Along with the I migrated to Bengaluru about 7-8 years ago crops, now I have a few trees that have grown because farming didn’t offer suitable economic 12 to 15 feet. opportunities. Another reason I chose to migrate was because my family had taken up Cauvery Calling volunteers have inspired me tobacco farming, and I didn’t like the smell to take up tree-based farming in a bigger way of tobacco. As a child, when I used to go to and commit my time totally to it. What really the farm, I would see only trees on our farms. excites me is that tree-based farming not But by the time I grew up, the trees had been only helps farmers get economic benefits, but completely destroyed. So somewhere inside by growing trees, we can also contribute to me I was aware that we were destroying making the soil rich, saving our environment, nature, our environment and, in turn, and making Cauvery flow again. Tree-based destroying our lives. farming also gives me free time, which I will now be using to spread the word about the So, as I was growing up I kept thinking that I Cauvery Calling initiative to other farmers.” have to grow something other than tobacco and bring back nature in my village. But my economic situation wouldn’t allow me much free time to do so. My grandfather had raised a forest in 2-3 acres when I was a child. Every year, I would plant 20-30 saplings in that land whenever I came back to my village on leave. Anukampa 2020 | 33 rehabilitating thelandthatsustainsallofus. of themostvulnerablepopulationswhile project thathelpsimprovethelivingconditions that CauveryCallingshouldbealarge-scale anniversary ofCauveryCalling.Healsosaid September 3,congratulatedIshaonthefirst delivering amessageonRiverRevitalization on to Combat Desertification(UNCCD), while Executive SecretaryoftheUNConvention Ibrahim Thiaw,Under-Secretary-General and Thiaw, UNCCD With Ibrahim to theCallofCauvery Connecting Cauvery Calling Cauvery River showcasingourefforts. film titledCauvery Calling: ARacetoSavea Discovery channelairedadocumentary channel on Discovery Documentary project onFebruary28. Cauvery riverandextendedhissupporttothe the CauveryCallinginitiativetorevitalize International Court ofJustice,TheHague,lauded The HonorableJusticeDalveerBhandari, Bhandari, ICJ Dalveer Hon’ble Justice

Anukampa 2020 | 34 support forriverrevitalizationandCauveryCalling. at theIshaYoga Center onFebruary21toshowhis Naidu, wateredtreesaplingsofdifferentvarieties The HonorableVicePresidentofIndia,M.Venkaiah India atIsha Vice Presidentof 720,000 trees! raising fundsfor the USandCanada, at 21eventsin Radhe Jaggiperformed Bharatanatyam dancer at 21events Radhe Jaggi Cauvery Calling Cauvery Cauvery Calling

Sadhguru at Various Forums

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jal Shakti Minister

On January 28, the Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat held a special interaction with Sadhguru to discuss scalable initiatives for water conservation taken up by Isha. On World Environment Day, June 5, they discussed Water Conservation, River 35 Rejuvenation & Overall Water Management. Several ecological challenges like desertification, water scarcity and river revitalization were discussed along with projects like Cauvery Calling, Namami Gange and Har Ghar Jal.s like Cauvery Calling, Namami Gange and Har Ghar Jal. Anukampa 2020 | Dr. Pradeep Monga, UNCCD

On June 17, Sadhguru along with Dr. Pradeep Monga, Deputy Executive Secretary of UNCCD, scrutinized ecological concerns and possible solutions at a webinar to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification. 52% of the agricultural land in India has been classified as degraded and in a tropical country, the only way to keep the soil healthy is to put 40% of soil under shade.

Prakash Javadekar, Environment Minister

On September 3, Prakash Javadekar, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, spoke about several far-reaching reforms instituted by the Government to encourage tree-based agriculture. The minister welcomed Sadhguru’s views on restoring soil health, and sustainable means for nation’s prosperity. He added, “Your power is ideation, our power is multiplication.” Anukampa 2020 | 36 or reachout [email protected]. To support, please visitcauverycalling.org handholding farmers.We seekyourcontinuedsupporttomake thishappen! the targethasdoubled.The projectalsoneedsfinancialsupportforeducating, mobilizing and but fortheentiretropicalworld. We arenowplanning forthesecondplantingseason,and movement willsetthestandard forasustainableriverrevitalizationprocessnot onlyinIndia we canreviveamajorriversignificantlyandsimultaneously multiplyfarmers’incomes.This Cauvery Callingwilldemonstratealarge-scalemodel, showcasingthatin10to12years’time An Appeal Have broughtherdowntoknees A lifethat’smuchlargerthanus, Misfortune ofourgeneration Do youhaveahearttohear? A lifethat’sbeenflowing And wepunycreatures for millionsofyears... Cauvery isCalling Anukampa 2020 | 37 Movement Isha Agro Facebook 14,000+ followerson subscribers YouTube with100,000+ 4.7 million+viewson paddy in2020 9 traditionalvarietiesof techniques usedtogrow 4 naturalfarming linking 6,250farmers 41 WhatsAppgroups handholding support 15,000+ farmersreceiving 85+ trainingprograms 9,085 farmerstrained Tamil Nadu of landat4locationsin Model farmson54acres good economicreturns. agriculture modelwhichalsoprovides pesticides toanaturalandsustainable of farmersfromchemicalfertilizersand (IAM) aimstoacceleratethetransition Launched in2007,IshaAgroMovement Anukampa 2020 | 38 Sharing Isha AgroMovement am doingsomegoodtonature. have onthesoil,Ikept onpouring.Ithoughtthat Not realizingtheimpactthatthesechemicalswould purchase 70sacksofchemicalsforRs300each. in myfarm.Every yearIspentalotofmoneyto began pouringchemicalfertilizersandpesticides agriculture. So,Itookupchemicalfarmingand to afarmingfamily,Ihadlittleornoexposure relatives andfamilymembers.ThoughIdidbelong journey asafarmerbeganwithguidancefrommy I boughtaplotof8-10acreslandin2005andmy unanimous andquick. I hailfromafarmingbackground, thedecisionwas I consultedmyfamilymembersandrelatives.Since farming andnature.Iwasinspiredbytheidea heard Sadhguruspeakatlengthaboutagriculture, came toknowaboutIsha,andduringonevisitI did notknowwhattodonext.AtthisjunctureI Both ofuswerefeelingverydepressedandwe and wasstrugglingtofindareasoncontinue. and easyforme,butnow,Ihadtolookaftermyson died inanaccident1986.Beforethatlifewasgood the biggestchallengesofmylifewhenhusband us allthroughnumerouschallenges.Ifacedoneof “Life takes rathersudden,mysteriousturnsandputs Farmer, KinathukadavuTown, Coimbatore Velumani life forms, tonature. contribute to other is thatIcannow satisfies memore natural farming,what has increasedwith Though myearning Isha Agro Movement

39

But five years down the line I faced the Today my farm has coconut trees and a wide

Anukampa 2020 | consequences of chemical farming. One day in variety of fruit trees too. I have a few papaya 2010, suddenly seven coconut trees in my farm trees on my farm, but I do not touch those and uprooted and I could not understand why. I leave the fruits for the birds to eat. We should consulted the local agriculture officer and he not grow everything for money. As Nature told me that this was the harmful effect of using nurtures us, we should also nurture other life excessive chemicals. He asked me to reduce the forms. These days, I feel very light and happy use of chemicals. whenever I walk into my farm. Unfortunately, people are dying all around due to COVID-19, I then realized that my intention to take up however, I feel life all around in my farm in the farming is right but my practices are wrong. That form of birds, worms, cattle, and sheep. is the time I came to know about Isha’s natural farming classes and I enrolled. I learnt a lot in My farm is teaching me valuable lessons about that session and also enrolled in many others life in different forms. My farm motivates me to subsequently where I picked up all the necessary continue with natural farming which is the right knowledge about natural and traditional way to get in touch with nature. I have now fertilizers and pesticides for natural farming. bought another 3 acres of land. I shall plant only fruit trees there, and in the middle of the plot I My foray into natural farming began and for the plan to put cow feeders to allow our cattle to next five years I did not touch chemicals. After graze there and have a great time. This too is five years when I walked into my farm, I saw an offering to nature. Though my earning has tiny holes in it, and earthworms were clearly increased with natural farming, what satisfies visible. I was extremely happy to see this because me more is that I can now contribute to other earthworms are one of the best friends for a life forms, to nature. I owe everything to Isha, farmer. This encouraged me to continue natural as without their help I would not have known farming with renewed zest. about natural farming at all.” Anukampa 2020 | 40 “ Ignorant farmpracticesare turningfertile save thesoil are amust.Theproblem of lands intodeserts. Urgent measuresto India’s farmsector islackofscale. Anukampa 2020 | 41 with thehelpofTamil NaduEducationDepartment. Government program,inhundredsofschoolseveryyear implementation oftheNationalGreenCorps (NGC), a environmental educationthroughsuccessful GSM fulfilsthisneedforpractical,hands-on youth forthiscause. environmental conservationcaneffectivelymotivatethe quite short-lived.Onlypracticalexposuretonatureand visual presentationsorseminarshasoftenprovedtobe efficacy ofinspiringstudentsthroughdiscussions,audio- of theindelibleconnectionwehavewithnature.The stewardship, GSMseekstomake youngstersconscious While layingastrongfoundationforenvironmental in thefuturegeneration. instil asenseofpridetowards“green consciousness” fan thedesireforenvironmentalconservationand for ecologicalconservation.Ithasbeendesignedto schools intogreencampusesbyenrollingstudents Green SchoolMovement(GSM)aimstotransform Movement Green School and enrichthegenerationstocome. the bondbetweenpeopleandtreeswilllastalifetime responsibility ofthelocalcommunitywithhopethat campaign. Survivalofthesesaplingsthenbecomesthe are asked totake ownershipofthenextphase remaining aredistributedamonglocalresidentswho which areplantedintheschoolcampuswhile Each childisasked totake careofsaplings,some schools aretouchedbythisgreenmovement. members, butallstudentsofages11to17inthese of saplings.ThisalsomeansthatnotjusttheNGC nurseries, treeplantationdrivesanddistribution sapling developmentthroughdecentralizedschool including middleschoolandhighstudentsin whole community.Thefirsttargetisachievedby From childrentoadults,thismovementropesinthe Anukampa 2020 | 42 plant treeswithoutthinkingwhether “Every societyneedspeoplewhowill they gettoeatthefruitornot.” Anukampa 2020 | 43 Sharing Green SchoolMovement under thattree.” into atree.Ifeelhappywhensitandstudy in the10thstandardandsaplinghasgrown Teak) whenIwasinthe8thstandard.Nowam Abhilash says:“IplantedKumizh Thekku(White went totheirschoolcampuswaterthetrees. necessary precautionsagainstthepandemicand this dedicatedteamofgreenwarriorstookall their schoolforagreenmission.Twice aweek homes evenamidstCOVID-19 toheadtowards Jaswanth andSaran–toleavethesafetyoftheir back convincedthreestudents–Abhilash, The bondwiththetreestheyplantedtwoyears only deepened. trees butthetendercareofstudentshas district. Today, thosesaplingshavegrowninto the AndarkuppamHighSchoolinKanchipuram Green SchoolMovement,planted30saplingsat In 2018somestudents,participatinginIsha as thegreenthumb. lifetime andthemanifestationofwhatweknow school campusoftenresultsinabondof The innocentactofplantingasaplingatthe their Saplings Of Students and that tree. and studyunder I feelhappywhensit has grownintoatree. planted twoyearsago The saplingthatI Anukampa 2020 | 44 To support,[email protected]. your continuedsupportto make thishappen! establish nurseriesinschoolsandenableyoungstudents togrowandraisesaplings.We seek and sustainablewaysofdoingagriculture.You canalsojointheGreenSchoolMovementto You cancontributetotheIshaAgroMovementhelpourfarmersshiftmoreprofitable An Appeal shade orfruits,butyouknowsomeonewill.” of love.You neverknowifyouwillenjoyits “Planting atreeisanenormousexpression Anukampa 2020 | 45 acrosstheriverbasin • Increasingpermanenttreecover villagesadjacenttoforests • Resolving man-animalconflictin andbiodiversity • Revival ofgroundwater, soilfertility Yavatmal • Economicprosperityoffarmersin • Rejuvenation ofWaghadi river Key Objectives generation andfacilitativeinterventions. community mobilization,awareness handling groundoperationslike government toimplementtheprojectby offering completegroundsupporttothe by theMaharashtraGovernment.Ishais this project.Theprojectisbeingfunded that willoverseetheimplementationof “Waghadi Foundation” NadiPunarujjeevan a SpecialPurposeVehicle (SPV)named Maharashtra Governmenthasformed Punarjeevan Prakalp Waghadi Nadi The Problem based micro-irrigation andbusinessdevelopment. commercial aspects like market linkages,community- Producer Companies willbesetuptotake careofother and cattlerearingwillimprove farmproduce,Farmer horticulture, naturalfarming, tree-basedfarming While soilandwaterconservation methods, multi-pronged approach. incomes willbeaugmentedby5timesthroughthis content andboostbiodiversityintheregion.Farmers’ trees coupledwithanimalwastewillreplenishorganic health, too,willimproveasthegreenlittergenerated by significantly enhancewaterretentioncapacity.Soil cover andvegetationintheWaghadi basinand levels. Thegreeninterventionwillalsoincreasetree revitalize theWaghadi riverandimprovegroundwater Practice ofagri-horti-forestryandafforestationwill help The Solution animals raidingfarmsandfurthercroploss. venture inlandinsearchoffoodandwater, leadingto denudation offorestlandhasforcedwildanimalsto soil nutrientsleadingtopooryield.Ontheotherhand, pesticides andfertilizers.Thishas,inturn,destroyed quality, forcingfarmerstouseexcessivechemical-based the severewaterscarcityisdegradationinsoil and turdalonlyaddtotheirwoes.Arippleeffectof in yieldandlowpurchasepricesofcotton,soyabean by frequentrainfalldeficitsanddryspells.Fluctuations drying up,thelivelihoodoflocalfarmersgetsthreatened to stagnantpoolseverysummer. Withtheirlifeline A perennialriveradecadeago,Waghadi nowdwindles Anukampa 2020 | 46 “ creating areplicable modelforalldegradedlands.” Yavatmal’s soilandrevivingRiverWaghadi, weare as wellextremefarmerdistress. Bytransforming This regionisseverelyhitbysoil and waterdepletion, Anukampa 2020 | 47 Developments On Ground Waghadi NadiPunarjeevanPrakalp already beenharvestedasofOctober2020! women inthesehomes.1470kg ofvegetableshave sown in270backyardswithactiveparticipationofthe the “kitchengarden”initiative,20varietiesofseedswere benefiting 134farmerswithsubsidies.Additionally,under Government underMGNREGAandBambooschemes Plantation on200acreshasbeenapprovedbythe teak andbambootreestobeplantedonfarmlands. Nadi Veeras generatedademandof1000acresfruit, Tree Plantation the treeplantationpotentialandirrigationtrend. available to2900farmerswereidentifiedunderstand Guarantee Act(MGNREGA).Sourcesofirrigation Mahatma GandhiNationalRuralEmployment were identified.Sixofthemareapprovedunder 44 high-impactsoilandwaterconservationstructures Soil andWater Conservation trust andconfidenceofthevillagers: on thefollowingsevenEntryPointActivitiestowin 18 months,ourNadiVeeras (volunteers)areworking of Corporate Affairs-GovernmentofIndia.Forthepast implement thisprojectwasregisteredbytheMinistry The SPVformedbytheMaharashtraGovernmentto Anukampa 2020 | 48 the PrimeMinister’s10,000FPCScheme. forming FIGsforcreationofasingleFPCunder 47,500 drumstickseeds.We havestarted Additionally, wefacilitatedtheplantingof of switchingtofruit,teakandbamboo. the currentcashcropsandbenefits Our NadiVeeras studiedtheeconomyof & BusinessDevelopment Farmer ProducerCompany (FPC) farmers toprocessdripirrigation. to betaken upbytheSPV. We arealsohelping irrigation departmentaboutafeasibilitysurvey and Maharashtraareintalkswiththe based micro-irrigationprojectsinKarnataka We visitedandstudied threecommunity Micro-Irrigation the presentStateGovernmentscheme. have alreadybenefitedwithsubsidiesunder organic products.217farmerson500acres processing, certificationandmarketing of 10 villagestohelpfarmersinproduction, Organic Farmer InterestGroups(FIGs)in Nadi Veeras facilitatedtheformationof10 Organic Farming Waghadi NadiPunarjeevanPrakalp this intheRaisingHumanConsciousness section. Engineering programwasconducted–readmoreabout participants. InJanuary2020thefirsteverMarathiInner 31 SimhaKriyasessionsin19villageswithover500 to enhanceimmunity.Postlockdown, weconducted to enquireabouttheirwellbeingandoffersimpletools calls weremadetovillagersandGovernmentofficials committees. Duringthelockdown over800phone We facilitatedtheformation of9villagedevelopment Community Mobilization promote indigenouscowbreeds. that willleadtoincreaseinmilkproductionand farmers toadoptbettercattlemanagementprocesses plantation offodderstumps.We arehelping66model cattle werevaccinatedandalsoassistedinthedemo We facilitatedhealthcamps in13villageswhere3,400 Animal Husbandry Anukampa 2020 | 49 Sharings Waghadi NadiPunarjeevanPrakalp hope forabetterfuture. is extremelyfulfillingtosee themfilledwith farmers, inspiringthemtomake theshift.It would notstopcallinghisfriendsandsenior Throughout ourrideback,thisyoungfarmer we canshifttohorticulturewithoutaworry.” the supportofIsha,thisprocessissmoothand most difficultandcomplicatedones.Butwith saying, “TheMGNREGAschemeisoneofthe Jaywant callinghisfarmerfriendandexcitedly On ourwayback,itwashearteningtohear everything worthwhile. a hotday,thejoyonfarmers’facesmade them. Thoughwewereexhaustedasitwas out paperwork,selectingsaplingsandloading away, wespentaround8-9hoursjustfilling up saplingsfromanurserywhichwas100km Dubey andJaywantDevraoMeshram,topick accompanying twofarmers,SadashivNarayan till theyreceivedthesaplings.Oncewhile MGNREGA schemeandalsohandheldthem paperwork neededtoavailthesubsidyunder We supportedthemthroughthetedious schemes, whichgranteda100%subsidy. to horticultureunderMGNREGAandBamboo Government, 134farmersfeltconfidenttoshift by ourNadiVeeras andtheMaharashtra to horticulture.Aftercontinuedefforts progressive stepofshiftingfromcashcrops in ourteamenabledthemtotake the into newfarmingpractices.Buttheirtrust understandably skeptical aboutventuring only meagerprofits.Asaresult,farmersare mounting pressureofdebt,farmingyields Vidarbha regioninMaharashtra,amongst In Yavatmal, adistresseddistrictofthe in rural developmentprojectsinMaharashtra Project Managerwithover35yearsofexperience Raosaheb Badhe Anukampa 2020 | 50 To support, please reachouttousat [email protected]. farmers andtheirfamilies. made significantprogress. Your continued supportwilltransformthelivesofmanydistressed have ensuredthatdespite the pandemicdisrupting“normal”waysoflife, projecthas efforts byourvolunteers on ground,thegovernmentmachinery,farmersand thedonors could becomethefirststep inrevolutionizingagriculturalpracticesacrossIndia. Thesustained Successful implementationofthisprojectwillreverse thefortunesoffarmersinregionand An Appeal standing attheback. the seatswerefilledandmanymorefarmers up. Theorganizersweresurprisedtoseeall training, wewenttotheirvillagespickthem frequent callsandmessages.Onthedayof various farmers’groupsandfollowedupwith However, wewentvillagetoinspire more than100farmerstoparticipate. harvesting time,sothetrainerdidn’texpect “The trainingwasorganizedatpeak Veeras, 254farmersattendedthetraining. this training.InspiredandsupportedbyNadi various internationalplatforms,conducted Mission whohasrepresentedIndiaon Shri ArifShah,anelitetrainerofJaivikSheti to shiftorganicfarmingthisRabiseason. mega-training programtosupportfarmers The MaharashtraGovernmentorganizeda Shri ArifShah Training with Nadi Veera VikasMisra Waghadi NadiPunarjeevanPrakalp Organic Farmer ProducerOrganization(FPO). This groupoffarmerswillgoontoforman chemical farming,”headded. farming. Here,Igotanattractivealternativeto training bustedalotofmythsaboutnatural village, toVikasafterthetraining.“The opportunity,” saidSanjayKamatkar, Yelabara 8 amtoensurethatwedon’tmissthis and actuallyturnedupinourvillagesbefore touched bythewayyoukept remindingus, many ofusturnedupfortheevent.We are “It isonlybecauseofNadiVeeras thatso officer intheMerchantNavy. marine engineerandwasservingasan shares NadiVeera, VikasMisra.isa was takingnotes4hoursintothetraining,” involved, andevena60-plus-year-old farmer in between.Butourfarmersweretotally such alongtraining,farmerstendtoleave The trainingwasfor6hours.Usually, in Farmer SanjayKamatkar Anukampa 2020 | 51

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. 53 Anukampa 2020 | other statutoryapprovals. We arearegisteredPublicCharitableTrust with12A,80G,FCRA,and all National CSRHub(Tata InstituteofSocial Sciences), GuidestarIndia. India, GlobalGiving,United Way ofMumbai,CAF(India),(America), resulted inseveralreputeddonationplatformsgranting accreditation:Give Isha Vidhya’stransparencywithitsaccountingandprompt reportinghas Accreditation by conductingtrainingprogramstomake academics morestudent-centric. Government schoolsundertheSchoolSupport Program(GSSP) student. IshaVidhyahasalsohelpedbuildthecapacityofteachersat securing aperfectscorebyensuringtheoveralldevelopmentofeach introduced innovationsinteachingtechniquesthatgomuchbeyond In additiontosettingupeducationinfrastructure,IshaVidhyahas academics, sports,culturalactivitiesandenvironmentalconservation. ambitions ofthenextgeneration,andhelpingthemachievenewheightsin all, especiallyruralchildren.IshaVidhyahasbeencarefullynurturingthe education sectorbymakingqualityaccessibleandaffordablefor to thedreamsofmillionschildren,IshaVidhyaisrevolutionizingrural The scaleandscopeofIshaVidhyatranscendmerenumbers.Givingwings education sector Revolutionizing the students haveachieveda100%passrateinthefinalexamsforClass10. measurable resultsforstudents.Forsixyearsinarownow,IshaVidhya volunteers, andSadhguru’sinspirationhavetogethertranslatedinto Isha Vidhya’sdonor-funded scholarships,dedicatedteachers,passionate means tofulfillthesedreams. members whodesirequalityeducationfortheirchildrenbutlackthe The pioneeringinitiativehasbroughtmuchcheeramongruralcommunity the myththatyoumustlowerstandardstoeducateruralchildren. Transforming ruraleducationsince2006,IshaVidhyahasbusted SoFar The Story Vidhya Isha Anukampa 2020 | 54 Anukampa 2020 | 55 them duringthistimeofcrisis. went beyondthecallofdutytoreachout reassured andexpressedgratitudethatIsha by thefamiliesofthesestudents.Theyfelt wellbeing. Thegesturewasdeeplyappreciated and theirfamiliestoenquireabout Isha Vidhyateamreachedouttothestudents on eachandeverystudentofIshaVidhya.The the pandemicourfirstprioritywastocheck hearts remainedwithourstudents.During The schoolsmayhavecloseddownbutour COVID-19 lockdown. vacations wereusheredinearlybythe campuses fellsilentinMarchassummer events. However, theusualbuzzonour accolades innationalanddistrictlevelsports Vidhya withseveralstudentswinning The yearbeganonagoldennoteforIsha and Innovations 2020 Challenges Isha Vidhya they wereessentialforattendingsessions. students whodidn’thaveaccesstooneas it uponthemselvestohelpatleastafew access tosmartphones,Ishavolunteerstook Realizing thatonly60%ofourstudentshave virtual classrooms. solved puzzlesanddesignedprojectsintheir fun-filled activitieswerealsostarted.Students campus bustleandplaytimewiththeirfriends, ensure thatthestudentsdonotmiss several onlinehomelearningprograms.To up withinnovationsoftheirowntolaunch our teachersandacademicteamwhocame switch toonlinelearningwassupportedby come totheschoolpickthemup.Also, wherever theparentsfounditdifficultto we deliveredstudybookstostudents’homes, distracted andoutoftouchwithacademics, And, toensurethatthechildrendonotget however, camewithitsownchallenges. This longperiodofbeingawayfromschool, Anukampa 2020 | 56 UP Cadre,1998batch IPS Officer, Paulson Reengineering, Novartis, Switzerland Global Head,BusinessProcess Mrs. SudhaKanago CFO ofMajidAlFuttaimLLC,UAE Ms. ShrimatiDamal MD andCEOofMahindraLifespace Ms. SangeetaPrasad people like: the studentshadachancetointeractwith As apartofover18“GetMentored”sessions, from otherfields. economists, entrepreneurs,andexperts well asteacherswhichfeaturedscientists, sessions wereorganizedforstudentsas Additionally, “GetMentored”interactive Mentored Get 100% passrate. perfect score– again shonebyregisteringa Vidhya studentshadonce declared inJuneandIsha standard boardexamswere Results ofthe10thand12th time fortheyoungachievers. And, thenitwascelebration Pass Rate 100% Anukampa 2020 | 57 “ molding childrenthewayyou wantthem, but aboutsupportingtheirnatural Education shouldnotbeabout longing toknow. Anukampa 2020 | 58 place intheKalamWorld Record andNobelWorld Record Books. types ofAncientArtsWar. Theirachievementhassecuredaprized participated inaprestigiouseventwhichshowcasedover20different Foundation. Thetwostudents,whoseparentsaredailywagers, expertise withOodhuKolli (blowgun)attheKalamWorld Research 5) andDeepika(Class4)ofIshaVidhya,Dharmapuri–displayedtheir laurels. OnJanuary1,ateenagebrother-sister duo–Suryadeepan(Class The yearbeganonahighnotewithIshaVidhyastudentswinningmany Ancient ArtsofWar Gold &SilverHaul Achievements inSports: Isha Vidhya Anukampa 2020 | 59 in Chhattisgarh. “National MallakhambCompetition” held Vidhya, Villupuram,baggedthe3rdprizein prodigy, Yuvarani, aclass7studentofIsha Association inArakkonam. Andthen,ayoung organized bytheTamil NaduTaekwondo silver andbronzemedalsatacompetition students ofIshaVidhya,Nagercoil,won stars continuedinMarchastwoClass7 The winningstreakofourbuddingsports Sports Academy. festival conductedbyKamalaSubramaniam gymnastics eventatthestate-levelsports from thesameschoolwontophonorsina and 17bronzemedals.Threeotherstudents in Februarywithahaulof5gold,silver district levelTaekwondo Championship-2020 Isha Vidhya,Tuticorin tookavictorylapatthe In thesportsarena,martialartchampsof Championship Martial Arts Isha Vidhya Anukampa 2020 | 60 for thecauseofeducatingruralIndia. volunteers andsupportersofIshaVidhyaran by theChennaiRunnersclubwhere Jan 5:AmarathonwasorganizedinChennai Marathon Chennai Runners more support. 2020 waslaunchedinJanuarytogarner quality education,theFundraising Challenge To givemoreruralchildrenaccessto for RuralEducation Running Isha Vidhya recorded their featsviamobileapps. Vidhya supporters intheUSAran,walked and to thepandemicsafetynorms, manyIsha the wordaboutIshaVidhya. Whileadhering the globalcommunityjoin hands tospread Oct 2-6:IndiaGenerosityRun (Virtual)saw Run intheUS India Generosity and Full Marathoncategories. attendance inthe10K,HalfMarathon, The eventsawanoverwhelming Brahmacharis ranforthecause. number ofIshaVidhyavolunteersand with corporateexecutives,donors,alarge including a92-year-old marathoner, along Mumbaikars. Peoplefromallagegroups, proved tobeamemorableeventfor Jan 19:TheTata MumbaiMarathon2020 Marathon Tata Mumbai Anukampa 2020 | 61 to mywellbeing.’ Letthemgrow upwith ‘There arepeopleouttherewho have thenecessaryconcerntocontribute “These childrenneedtosee, this trustinhumanity.” Anukampa 2020 | 62 Sharings learned togive fromIshaVidhya. underprivileged children.Ihave with myson’s feestohelpother I madeasmallcontribution along Isha Vidhya and beusedfortheeducationofotherchildren.) that itbeacceptedasacontributionforIshaVidhya amount aschangetoPavendhan, hehumblyinsisted (When theschoolstafftriedtoreturnexcess going wastoughforus,andnowitisourturn.” give fromIshaVidhya.Theyhelpeduswhenthe other underprivilegedchildren.Ihavelearnedto contribution alongwithmyson’sfeestohelp my businesshasresumedandImadeasmall Now, afterrelaxationinlockdown norms, come totheschool. for bookstoreachthechildrenwhocouldnot stopped forthem.Theyarrangedtransportation but IshaVidhyaensuredthateducationnever their children’seducationowingtothelockdown, other parents,too,whocouldnotaffordtopayfor time topaytheschoolfees.Like me,therewere these monthsoflockdown andgavemeadditional Isha Vidhyaunderstoodmypredicamentduringall making endsmeetwasahugechallenge. worse. Myincomewasdowntoalmostniland However, theCOVID lockdown madematters Earning alivelihoodisnoteasyasfisherman. remarkable all-roundimprovement. my sonqualityeducationandhehasshown underprivileged children.IshaVidhyahasgranted doing muchforruralliteracyandtheeducationof whatever Ican,toIshaVidhyasincetheyare always make itapointtodonatesomemoney, “I amafishermanandmyincomeissmallbutI Isha Vidhya,Parent Pavendhan Isha Vidhya

Here, I get nutritious food every day and my teachers are very loving – they care for me like my mother.

Yuvasri 63 Isha Vidhya, Cuddalore

“Going to school is so much fun. Before joining this school, I never knew I liked studies and

Anukampa 2020 | was mostly at home.

My father is a fisherman, but he spends all his money to buy liquor while we often remain hungry. Things started improving after Isha Vidhya volunteers reached out to us and helped me secure admission as a scholarship student in Isha Vidhya, Cuddalore.

Here, I get nutritious food every day and my teachers are very loving – they care for me like my mother. They encouraged me constantly and helped me improve in my studies. Recently I appeared for my higher secondary exams. I scored 505 marks and became a school topper. It was the happiest day of my life.

The blessings and guidance of my teachers helped me become a topper. I am now confident that I shall fulfill my dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant.” Anukampa 2020 | 64 Program School Support Government building newschools. scalable modelisacost-efficientalternativeto and deepenstheimpactofeducation.This optimizes infrastructure,broadensoutreach, strengthens systemicdeliveryprocesses, Government SchoolSupportProgram(GSSP) and specialcoachingforslowlearners.Our programs includingteachers’capacitybuilding Government schoolstoofferavarietyof project, IshaVidhyapartnerswith To amplifythereachofruralliteracy and Solutions Challenges and promoteall-roundholisticdevelopment. strengthen theacademicdeliverymechanism that supportbothstudents,andteachers, address thesechallengeswithinterventions a highstudentdrop-outrate.GSSPaimsto facilities, gapsinteacherrecruitment,and ratio, unmotivatedteachers,lackofbasic challenges like ahighstudent-teacher Government schoolsfacenumerous Anukampa 2020 | 65 talents duringsportsdayevents. certificates werealsoprovidedtoapplaud their skills.Medals,trophies,shields,and to take up sportsactivitiesandenhance encourage governmentschoolstudents Tirupur, Coimbatore, andSalem.Thisisto government schoolsin3districts– materials werealsoprovidedto22 As partoftheGSSPinitiative,sports Activities Sports Encouraging monitoring andfeedback including continuous using IshaVidhyamethods, Extensive Teacher Training 01 Highlights GSSP awareness education &health sports, Yoga, environmental development through Supporting holistic 04 special methodologies language skillsthrough Improving children’sEnglish 03 remedial interventions of theclass,throughcritical learners, whoconstitute30% Special assistancetoslow 02 Anukampa 2020 | 66 or reachout [email protected] To support,pleasevisitishavidhya.org their efforts. seek volunteerswhocanhelp supportouracademicteamandfundraising in year, wearedependingheavilyonindividuals tomake upfortheshortfall.We also mobilized tokeep ourschoolsrunning.Withcorporate donationsataminimumthis continued supportfromallourdonorstoensurethat thenecessaryfundingis understanding withtheparents,despiteourfinancial constraints. We seek the parents’situationandinterestsofchildrenin mind, wehavebeenquite Parents of fee-payingstudentshavebeenstrugglingtomeetthecosts.Keeping and learningaids,electricity,internet,telephone,etc. most oftheexpensescontinuetobeincurred,towards salaries,books,notebooks the children.Despiteschoolsnotbeingopentochildren duringthepandemic, The IshaVidhyateam,withthesupportofnumerousvolunteers,isdoingitsbestfor An Appeal Anukampa 2020 | 67

Community Health & Wellbeing How deeply you touch“ another life is how rich your life is. Anukampa 2020 | 69 of sufferingordeathamongthemostvulnerable. and preventingstarvationfrombecomingthebasis focused onstoppingthespreadofdeadlyvirus panchayats aroundIshaYoga Center. Ourefforts people residingin90villagesunder17different based onground-levelfeedbacktoprotect200,000 across theglobe,Ishadesignedaholisticmethod As thesearchforaremedytoCOVID-19 raged Efforts COVID-19 Relief Beat theVirus Relief Disaster efforts to keep thecommunitysafe. life answeredSadhguru’scallandjoinedthe young professionalsfromdifferentwalksof livelihoods andparalyzedruraleconomies, virus. Thoughthepandemiccausedlossof volunteers tojointhefightbeat announced, Sadhguruappealedtoyoung Soon afterthenationwidelockdown was Anukampa 2020 | 70 Beat theVirus line workers alike astheyqueueupfortheir cherished morningritualforvillagersandfront Nilavembu Kashayamhasnowbecomea distributing NilavembuKashayam.Drinking on preventiveactionstheycouldtake and knocked oneverydoor, educatingfamilies to reachfar-flung villages,ourvolunteers immunity. Travelling forlongdistancesdaily awareness andhelpingboostpeople’s to stopthespreadofvirusbyraising During theinitialphases,ourfocuswas than cure Prevention isbetter informative leafletsto raise publicawareness Volunteers wentdoortodistributing Virus Beat the importance ofadoptingpreventivemeasures. effectively totellthevillagersabout announcements andposterswerealsoused informative videoclipsandleaflets.Public department andthelocalpolice,distributed Isha inassociationwiththestatehealth and equippeopletoprotectthemselves, To increasepublicawarenessonthepandemic drink withmultiplehealthbenefits. daily doseofthisimmunity-boostingherbal Anukampa 2020 | 71 most remotelocations. Kashayam tothesefrontline workers eveninthe travelled longdistancesevery daytogiveNilavembu the communitywithoutfear. Ishavolunteersalso primary healthcenterstoenablethemserve panchayat officers,sanitationworkers, and hand sanitizerstohealthworkers, policepersonnel, distributed protectivegearlike facemasksand To ensurethe safetyofthefirstresponders,Isha and didnotgohungry. their livesonthelineformasseswerecared closed. Ishavolunteersensuredthatthosewhoput in gettingfoodasthehotelsandeaterieswere months toselflesslydotheirjobs,alsofaceddifficulty who stayedawayfromtheirhomesandfamiliesfor Police personnelandessentialserviceproviders, Save theSaviors service providers Volunteers distributedhandsanitizerstoessential fulfilling theirresponsibilities. best theycantoassistthe local administrationin responsibility ofeverycitizen tostandupanddowhat wage earnersandtheirfamilies. Hesaidthatitisthe employment wouldleadto starvationamongstdaily the potentialtocausecivilunrestandlackof Sadhguru stressedthathungerandstarvationhave support ingovernmenthospitals. said that,ifneeded,Ishavolunteerscouldalsoprovide for peopleneedingmedicalattention.Sadhgurualso open uptheIshaYoga Center premisesinCoimbatore its effortstocontain COVID-19, Sadhguruofferedto Extending supporttotheTamil Nadugovernment in isolation ward. in Coimbatore districtforthesettingupofa30-bed provided tosupportPooluvapattiPrimaryHealthCenter of anoutbreak.Medicalsuppliesandequipmentwere transport patientstotreatmentcentersintheevent Our ambulanceserviceswerekept onstandbyto to BeattheVirus Joining Hands Anukampa 2020 | 72 migrant workers, andtribalslivinginremotevillages. distances toensurethatthefoodreachedvillagers, volunteers travelledoverdustytracksforlong distance andfollowedallsafetymeasures.The distributing thefood,theymaintainedproper nutritious mealsinseveralbatches.Even while operations atthecrackofdawntopreparehot, into thelossoflife.Every dayIshakitchensstarted community sothatlossoflivelihooddidn’ttranslate cooked mealsandimmunityboosterstothe with thehighesthygienestandards.Theydelivered crisis, Ishavolunteerssetupcommunitykitchens basic nutrition.Anticipatingtheloominghunger sections ofsocietystartedtosufferfromalack As lockdowns continued,economicallyweaker Cannot Wait Because Hunger Beat theVirus Anukampa 2020 | 73 calls perday 6 17,000 + 90-100 Starvation helpline: people reachedin of 4-5for7-8days that wouldlastafamily Standard hungerkits weeks

possible toensure afairpriceforfreshproduce. to reachperishableproduce tomarkets asswiftly that theirdailytoildidn’tgo invain.Theirobjectivewas assistance tofarmersanddid alltheycouldtoensure Isha volunteersreachedout toprovidetimelymarketing laborers madetheirtaskextremelydifficult. They haveneverstoppedworking.Theabsenceoffarm relaxed, itwastimetosowseedsforthenextcrops. kept mostofusindoors.Andwhenthelockdown was keep workingattheirfarmsevenwhenthepandemic The foodprovidersofthisnation,thefarmers,hadto reached outwithmarketing supporttothefarmers. we providednutritionalsupporttotheselaborers, who hadbeenstrandedduetothelockdown. While many ofthemalsogavesheltertothemigrantlaborers Not onlydidthefarmerscontributetoourkitchens,but Support forFarmers Anukampa 2020 | 74 “ above yourown,adifferent kind of strength, astrengththatwill carry you throughlife andbeyond,will When thewellbeingofothers is become available. Beat the Virus

Colors of Compassion

Moved by the loss of livelihood and troubles faced by the vulnerable communities during the pandemic, Sadhguru poured out his compassion on canvas. He painted two masterpieces to contribute to the fundraising initiatives of Isha. Sadhguru had promised to give the paintings to the persons who donated the maximum amount to Isha’s Beat the Virus fund. These two paintings were auctioned on an online platform.

To Live Totally! The first painting, an abstract oil on canvas titled “To Live Totally!” features 75 different aspects of our life and depicts various life forms including an ant, dolphin, butterfly and elephant. Written on the painting is Sadhguru’s message: “a day is but a piece of time that lets us live and die… this day let us

Anukampa 2020 | live and live totally.”

Bhairava The second painting “Bhairava” was Sadhguru’s tribute to Isha’s iconic bull who passed away earlier this year. Sadhguru used cow dung as a wash for the artwork which he made with charcoal, turmeric, and limestone. Anukampa 2020 | 76 Anukampa 2020 | 77 addiction toliquor,” saidone ofthesanitationworkers. drink. “We owealottoKashayam.Ithelpedusquitour village wereamongthefirsttolineupforherbal Every morning,thesanitationworkers ofBooluvampatti Overcoming Addictions they eagerlywaitfortheirturn.” Kashayam helpsfight Coronavirus andotherailments, about itsbittertaste.But,nowthattheyknowhow A volunteersaid,“Initially,manyvillagerscomplained drink, whichtheynowfondlyrefertoas“Corona Tea.” of NilavembuKashayam,theimmunity-boostingherbal dutifully maintainingsocialdistancefortheirdailydose volunteers reachedthevillages,residentsqueuedup, common areaswerewithouttheusualbustle.AsIsha district. Theroadsworeadesertedlookandthe Nadhegoundenpudhur villagesoftheCoimbatore The daybegandifferentlyin Vadivelampalayam and Corona Tea the Ground Stories from Beat theVirus parts ofthedistrict.” started distributingKashayam topeoplelivingininterior Kashayam. Soonafterwards Ijoinedthevolunteersand travelling 10kmeveryday on mybicycletodrinkthe drink wasmeanttohelpus fightthepandemic,Ibegan villagers. Venkatesh said:“WhenIlearntthattheherbal Isha volunteersdistributingtheherbaldrinkamong towards anearbyvillageonhisbicyclewhenhespotted In anotherpartofCoimbatore, Venkatesh washeaded Going theDistance days,” oneofthesanitationworkers said. and weallfeelmuchbettermoreenergeticthese liquor anymore.Kashayamhashelpedusforget morning, wefoundthatdon’tfeelthecravingfor Isha volunteersstartedofferingKashayamearlyevery work hadbecomeacompulsory,dailyritual.But,since “Over theyears,drinkingliquorbeforestartingourday’s them turntheirlivesaroundandleadahealthylife. His co-workers tooassertedthatKashayamhashelped Beat the Virus

Opening Homes and Hearts to Migrant Laborers

A housing construction site in Pachinampathi us a place to stay and Isha volunteers ensured village resounded with the laughter of children that none of us went without food. They also as they played inside an under-construction gave Nilavembu Kashayam to us and our building. Their parents sat in groups at a little children daily.” distance, chatting amongst themselves with their mouths covered. Abu Bakkar, a villager, told the volunteers that he has been observing fast for Ramadan. Fifty migrant workers hailing from West While appreciating their efforts, Bakkar stated Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand had that he breaks his fast by eating the food that got stuck at the construction site during the he gets daily from Isha volunteers. lockdown. A migrant laborer from Odisha 78 said, “Work at our housing construction site stopped suddenly and we had no means to earn livelihood. But, thankfully our worries ended quite miraculously. Local residents gave Anukampa 2020 | Anukampa 2020 | 79 familiar dailyknockonher door. help andshetoowouldwait eagerlyforthat check uponherdailytoseeifsheneededany Since thenthevolunteersmadeitapointto very nextdaywithKashayamandhermedicines. were veryrelievedtoseeJayakumarreturnthe between them.Sheandherfamilymembers the genesisofabondcareandcompassion volunteer, Jayakumar, forhelp.Thatbecame With nopharmacyopen,sheturnedtoanIsha worsen anyday. members wereworriedasherconditioncould there wasnomeanstogetthem.Allherfamily medicines. Sheneededmedicationsurgentlybut daily totreatherailmentsbutshehadrunoutof been advisedbyherdoctortotake medications Narasipuram villagewasinaterriblefix.Shehad Shamboornam, aged55,aresidentof Medicine Man Beat theVirus her awalkingstickthenextday. woman’s facelitupwithasmilewhenPradapgot her own.Shehadnooneelsetoturnto.”Theold because shenowconsidersIshavolunteersas aged womanhadtreatedmelike afamilymember empathy. Helatertoldothervolunteers:“The Pradap’s surpriseturnedintoadeepsenseof when youcomeforyournextvisit.” some help.Getmeawalkingsticktomorrow know howitisnow,Ican’tevengoouttoget and feellike Iwillfalleverytimegetup.You She toldhim,“Iamunabletowalkproperly,son, like afamilymember,” saidPradap. ease withwhichshespoke tome.Shetreatedme sense offamiliarity.“Iwasquitesurprisedatthe bowed withage,speakingtohimadeep shirt’s sleeve.Heturnedaroundtofindawoman, Puttur whenhefeltsomebodytuggingathis distributing foodandKashayamtovillagersof Pradap, anIshavolunteer, wasonhisdailyrounds, Family Ties Beat the Virus

Sugarcane Story When Isha volunteer Premkumar entered Moolakkadupathi, he saw a little boy was enjoying a sugarcane by the roadside. When Premkumar approached him, the boy dashed off with a mischievous smile on his face. He returned with his mother a few minutes later. They offered a sugarcane to him as a token of gratitude for helping them. His mother said, “I am very thankful to you and other volunteers for helping us. You all are doing so much good for our village.” Sharing is Caring In Samanapudur village, when our volunteers were delivering food packets to local residents, they got a pleasant surprise at the home of an elderly woman. She told the volunteers that they should give her food packet to another villager who was

80 in dire need. One of the volunteers explained: “Her young grandson had already taken food for her, so she did not want excess. Instead, she wanted us to help her neighbors.”

Anukampa 2020 | Young Role Models It was a day of joy for two 8-year-old boys as their wish had finally been granted by their parents. They had made several appeals to their parents to allow them to join the Isha volunteers to help the community. The boys were also ready to put aside their rivalry for the larger cause. The brave, young duo first volunteered to help harvest tomatoes from a farm and then joined the volunteers in distributing Kashayam. A volunteer said, “They also helped us tell the community about the importance of maintaining discipline and caring for each other. These children are showing us the way.”

Rubberband Tales An elderly woman called out to Isha’s volunteers when they were distributing Kashayam in Jakkirnaickenpalayam. “The aged woman had painstakingly collected a large number of rubber bands for us to help us in her own way. Her gesture was quite moving for us.” She told a volunteer: “I have collected these for you. Please use these to bind the packets of cooked food that you give to us daily.” Anukampa 2020 | 81 Rejuvenation Action forRural “ and inspiringhuman beingstostand towards raising thehumanspirit A movementaimed up forthemselves. health program. medicines andnaturopathyarealsopartofthisholistic practices, communitygames,andpromotionofherbal the existingdevelopmentschemes.PowerfulYoga community participatorygovernance,itenhances indigenous modelsofhealth,diseasepreventionand team ofqualifiedandtrainedpersonnel.Bysupporting alternative systemsofmedicinesthroughitsdedicated healthcare servicesbyadoptingbothallopathicand holistic ruralhealthcaremodelwhichoffersprimary Action forRuralRejuvenation (ARR)isauniqueand Anukampa 2020 | 82 and medicinesregularly. supported chronicpatientsbyprovidingthemcheckups villages inamonth.Duringthepandemic,MHCs traditional medicine)andcoversapproximately40 free examinationsandtreatment(bothallopathic paramedical assistant,pharmacistanddriver, provides local hospitals.EachMHCteamconsistingofadoctor, who requireadvancedcarearereferredtopartnering basis, atthedoorstepsofvillagers.Thosepatients free primaryandminoremergencycareonaweekly and basichealthcarefacilities.Themobileclinicsoffer who liveinremoteplacesdeprivedofgoodroads been pressedintoservicesince2003toservepeople Specially designedMobileHealthClinics(MHCs)have Health Clinic Mobile support topeopleoftheThondamuthurblock. lockdown crisis,IRHCprovidedmedicalattentionand residents of108villages.Even duringtheCOVID-19 pharmacy providelowcost,qualityhealthcaretothe with in-housedoctors,visitingspecialists,laband Muttuthavayal, andSalem,3IshaRuralHealthClinics and accessiblequalityhealthcare.InAlandurai, in responsetothecommunity’sneedforaffordable Isha RuralHealthClinics(IRHCs)havebeensetup Health Clinic Isha Rural Action forRuralRejuvenation From Jan‘20–Oct 11,424 108 3 From Jan‘20–Oct 15,039 112 3 Clinics MHCs VillagesServed VillagesServed Patients Patients Action for Rural Rejuvenation

Arokiya Alai As a part of Arokiya Alai (Wave of Health), specialty medical camps are organized by our team to spread awareness among rural communities on nutrition, disease prevention and symptoms, hygiene, and sanitation. The project also provides cost-free, simple, and healthy dietary solutions to help eradicate malnutrition in villagers.

24 Camps Conducted 19 Villages/Schools Served 2,502 Patients From Jan ‘20 – Oct ‘20

83 AYUSH-Isha

Anukampa 2020 | AYUSH-Isha Organic Health Systems is an Isha project supported by the Government of India which offers a holistic health care model aimed at improving public health status at the grass-root level through Indian systems of medicine (AYUSH). The project largely focuses on preventive methods and an innovative combination of Ayurveda, Siddha, Naturopathy, Yoga, and physical fitness programs in Thondamuthur block of Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu. The project is being funded by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. 22,448 Received medicines 10,227 Reached via AYUSH anemia awareness 10,252 Offered Upa-Yoga

*May ’17 – Oct ‘20 Anukampa 2020 | 84 Sharings in the village. good foreverybody doing aworld of The MHCvan is like oursthathavenoaccesstoanyhospital.” MHC vanavailabletoourvillageandvillages from thebottomofmyheartformaking good foreverybodyinthevillage.IthankIsha has begun.TheMHCvanisdoingaworldof consulted theMHCdoctor. Histreatmentalso my husband,whohassimilarskinlesions, Impressed bymypositiveandquickresults, quick results. after myyoungdaughter. Iamamazedbythe now freetofocusondailychoresandlooking completely stoppedsincethen.Myhandsare patches arereducingandtheitchinghas me Siddhamedicinesfreeofcost.Myblack consulting theMHCdoctorwhohasgiven It’s beenclosetotwomonthssinceIbegan stays nearbyandvisitstheMHCregularly. learned aboutitfromanagedwomanwho suffering, theMHCvancametomyrescue.I Finally, afterthreelongyearsofconstant trying tosatisfytheitch. awkward anddistressingasIwasalwaysbusy discomfort, butalsoprovedtobequite no end.Thediseasenotonlygavemephysical incurable, hadworriedanddepressedmeto chronic ailment,whichwasprovingtobe I am23yearsofageandalreadyhadthis to provideanyrespite. my skinailmentaspsoriasis,nobodywasable doctors foraremedy.Thoughtheydiagnosed years now.Iconsultednumerousallopathic leg havebeenmybaneformorethanthree “Black scalypatchesanditchingovermyleft Mobile HealthClinicbeneficiary,Pudupalayam Aparna Action forRuralRejuvenation Action for Rural Rejuvenation

85 Rukmini Arokya Alai beneficiary, Devarayapuram

“After getting separated from my husband, In the beginning, I was apprehensive that I have been living alone, totally dependent they would ask for money, but my neighbor Anukampa 2020 | on the government’s monthly pension of dispelled my doubts and motivated me. I then Rs. 1,000. I am 50-year-old and have one underwent a cataract surgery in my right eye, daughter. Though she is married and has her which was done free of cost. Isha volunteers own family to look after, she is now taking took me to the hospital and dropped me care of me. home after the surgery. During the camp and again during post-surgery checkup they gave For the last 10 years, I was suffering from me free meals too. impaired vision. Initially, I had difficulty seeing during the evening, but gradually the problem An Isha volunteer visited all eye surgery aggravated further and I had trouble during patients in my village regularly and checked the day too. whether we were taking our eye drops and medicines regularly. The surgery gave me my In the last 4 years, it worsened and I gradually sight back and I am extremely happy. Now, I lost my eyesight. I did not consult any doctor can manage all my household activities and because I did not know that it could be move about independently without corrected by eye surgery. Doctors told me that any assistance. I had diabetes and hypertension, but I did not take any medicines. Due to this condition, I Now, I want to get my sight back in the left was confined to my bed most times of the day eye so that I can earn a living as a farmworker and was dependent on people around me for or domestic help. I have spoken about this to my day-to-day activities. One rainy day, while many people in my village and 4-6 of them are going to the bathroom, I fell because of my already willing to attend the next eye camp poor eyesight and my left wrist got fractured. and undergo cataract surgery. I cannot thank Isha enough for stepping in when we needed At such a juncture some volunteers came to them the most.” my house and informed me about a free eye camp being conducted by Isha in collaboration with Aravind Eye Hospital. Anukampa 2020 | 86 Action forRuralRejuvenation Maarappan doorstep todoorstep. awareness aboutanemiabygoingfrom been easy,Ishavolunteerscreated anemia. Thoughtherecoveryprocesshasn’t panchayat haverecoveredcompletelyfrom these AYUSH medicines–55residentsofour been curedoftheirchronicailmentsbytaking I amhappytosharethatmanypeoplehave for chronicdiseaseslike ulcersandjointpain. as wenowknowthatitcanprovideasolution our faithinthetraditionalwayoftreatment The AYUSH-Isha Schemehasbroughtback their basicrequirementsformedicines. years, helpinghundredsofpeopletofulfill AYUSH Sevak(volunteer)forthelastthree Administrative OfficerMrs. Umaactedas Health Systems. OurpanchayatVillage activities asapartoftheAYUSH-Isha Organic more than15yearsnowthroughon-ground to ourpanchayatandsurroundingvillagesfor “Isha hasbeenprovidingagreatdealofhelp President ofthePanchayat EmployeesUnion Vellimalaipattinam Panchayat Secretaryand and services.” people, wethankIshaforitsefforts people. Onbehalfofourpanchayatand practices toimprovetheimmunityof Kashayam dailyandtaughtSimhaKriya Isha volunteersprovideduswithNilavembu Throughout thesechallengingCOVID times, their education. memory, whichinturn,helpsthestudents has numerousbenefitslike enhancingtheir also teachesUpa-Yoga tothestudents,which set upaherbalgardeninViraliyurvillage.Isha wellbeing. Throughourpanchayat,wehave people onhowtouseorganicherbsforour Under thisscheme,thevolunteerseducated looking towardsahealthierfuture. has changeddrasticallyandwearenow their continuedefforts,thelifestyleofpeople for improvingtheintake ofiron.Asaresult medicines regularly,andgavedietaryadvice free medicines,checked ifwearetakingour They alsoprovideduswithmedicalcheckups, Anukampa 2020 | 87 or reachout [email protected] To support,pleasevisitwww.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation these importanthealthservices tomoreruralcommunities. or towardsexpandingour existing clinicsoremergencykitswouldhelpusprovide stretchers, medicinestorage cabinetsandpharmacyracks.Donationstowardsthese scanners, immunologyandhormoneanalyzerequipment, hospitalbeds,IVstands, upgrading ofinfrastructureandequipment,suchasX-ray machines,ultrasound health vanstoexpandourreach.Ourstationary clinicsrequireconstant equipment fromindividualsandorganizations,aswell asoperationalcostsofmobile villages andtribalcommunities.We welcomedonationsofmedicinesandmedical Through yourgenerousdonations,weareabletoaddress thehealthneedsoflocal An Appeal 88

“ Anukampa 2020 | Ifyourhumanityisinfullflow,you this isthenatureofbeinghuman. will reachouttolifearoundyou. Welfare Rural &Tribal their communitiesandsteerdestinies. is aimedatmotivatingvillagerstorehabilitate into ruralpeople’slives.Theholisticapproach initiatives tobringjoyandexuberanceback Isha haslaunchednumerousinterventionsand This isnotmorality– Anukampa 2020 | 89 that nowasteevergoeswaste! farmers arefreetouseintheirfarms.We ensure Velliangiri Uzhavan Farmer ProducerOrganization is convertedtohigh-qualitycompostthatthe After processingthemwithcare,theorganicwaste organic wasteandtheotherforinorganicwaste. provide everyhouseholdwithtwodustbins:onefor of thisproject.Aspartwastemanagement,we overall wellbeingisoneoftheprimaryobjectives management anditspositiveimpactonhealth Raising awarenessontheneedforefficientwaste Management Waste also transportation,uniforms, andstationery. Isha’s scholarshipswhichcover notonlytuitionfeesbut determination tohelpthemselvesreceivedaboostwith nor theskillsettomake thememployment-ready. Their who neitherhadaccesstoeducationalopportunities been supportingtheeducationalaspirationsofstudents hindrance tosuccess.Foroveradecadenow,Ishahas hurdles orhumblebackgrounds cannot posea scholarship studentsprovedthatwithalittlesupport, gain mainstreamemploymentopportunities.These their communitiestocompletegraduationand disadvantages tobecomethefirstmembersof Thondamuthur overcamecenturiesofsocioeconomic efforts borefruitrecentlywhen10tribalstudentsof students fortheirschool/collegeeducation.The Isha hasbeensupportingthelocalandtribalvillage Distribution Scholarship Rural &Tribal Welfare students (since2015) and otherlocations Households 962 Tons wastecollected 173.5 29 261 Scholarships providedto: students (in 2020)

Anukampa 2020 | 90 enterprising individuals who expressed interest enterprising individualswhoexpressedinterest become gainfullyemployed.Asaresult,several and womensothattheymaybetrainedto talent, aptitude,andinterestsofyoungmen activities. Theteamofvolunteersidentifiesthe given jobopportunitiesintheIshaYoga Center trained bythevolunteers,havealsobeen wellbeing. Someofthevillagers,afterbeing improve theirfinancialhealthandeconomic closely withseveralvillagecommunitiesto Isha’s RuralandTribal Welfare teamisworking Livelihood Activities health andhygienestandards. in nearbyvillages.Thiswillhelpimprovetheir toilets forthetribalpeopleandotherswhostay need forhygiene,Ishahastaken upbuilding by theirpoorfinancialstatusandtheurgent residents hereareagriculturalworkers. Moved has manytribalvillagesandmostofthelocal The ThondamuthurblockofCoimbatore district Construction Toilet Rural &Tribal Welfare Government regulations. the imposingAdiyogistatuewereclosedasper the IshaYoga Center campusalongwithentryto however, thisprojectgotstalled.Alltheshopsin the shopsandaccounts.Duringpandemic, given regulartrainingandsupportinmanaging Groups havealsobeenformedwhicharebeing statue intheIshaYoga Center campus.Self-Help were providedwithshopspaceneartheAdiyogi 5 1707 21 580 Town panchayats Villages Covered Toilets Constructed People Benefited Anukampa 2020 | 91 Sharings Rural &Tribal Welfare Isha anditsvolunteers.” standards. Iwishtoexpressmydeepestgratitude We regularlycleanthetoiletsandmaintainhygiene the toiletisnomoreahealthhazardanddangerous. toilets formosthousesinthevillage.Now,goingto toilets withinourhomes.Theyhaveconstructed and ourliveschangedforgood.Ishavolunteersbuilt Five yearsbackIshavolunteerscametoourvillage and posedgreathealthrisks. going outintotheforestbecameevenmoredifficult women, especiallyduringthemenstruationperiod, frequented theriverfordrinkingandbathing.For purposes. We hadtoalsobewareofanimalsthat defecation andusingriverwaterforwashing We hadnochoiceotherthanoptingforopen only duringschooltimings. school wasonlyforstudentsandtheytoocoulduseit the villagessituatednearby.Andtoiletinside was onlyonetoiletoftheGovernmentschoolforall At nightwewentneartheGovernmentschool.There to theforestanswernature’scallduringday. Before Ishaconstructedtoiletsforus,weusedtogo a 12thstandardstudentinPSGSchool. standard inMuttathuvayalSchoolandmydaughteris campus inCoimbatore. Mysonstudiesinthe10th the waytoAdiyogistatue)atIshaYoga Center while myhusbandhasatendercoconutshop(along nearby Governmentschoolforthepast7-8years “I haveworked asamid-daymealshelperinthe Toilet Construction Beneficiary Ramathal dangerous. health hazard and toilet isnomore a Now, going to the Rural & Tribal Welfare

92 Stella Waste Management Beneficiary, Semmedu Village Anukampa 2020 | “For more than 10 years I have been staying lie unattended for days. The garbage heaps with my family in Semmedu. If you had visited were proving to be our bane as they would my village even a couple of years back, you cause water stagnation and contamination would have found several small and large, and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes stinking garbage heaps dotting the landscape, and other diseases like chikungunya, and making it impossible to pass by without cause dysentery, etc. The worst affected were covering your nose and feeling disgusted. our children.

Thanks to Isha, we have turned our lives In 2015, Isha volunteers came to our doorsteps, around and cleaned up the mess. gave us two free dustbins (rose and green Usually, I clean my house twice daily, collect color for recyclable/compostable waste), and the waste in a dustbin and throw it on the educated us on types of wastes and ways huge heap of waste material beside the of disposal. And, the haphazard disposal of main street which is about 100 meters away waste stopped for good. An Isha Sevadhar, from my house. At times, feeling too lazy Shakunthala, comes daily in a 3-wheeler, to go outdoors to throw, I would keep the ringing the bell, to collect waste from us every dustbin full of waste inside my house itself morning at 6:30 am. for 2-3 days. We usually threw the waste wherever space was available – especially at Now, it is quite pleasing to see our village; street corners, under the water tank, near a it appears so clean, safe and hygienic. The lamppost, etc. transformation didn’t happen overnight but the change is beyond anything I could ever So if you had come here previously, you would have imagined. We have all heaved a huge first notice many heaps of waste spilled over sigh of relief and we are overwhelmed and and scattered on roads and ditches. It was touched by the generous gesture of Isha.” awkward and distressing to walk through the streets littered with garbage heaps that would Anukampa 2020 | 93 Celebrations Galore! Pongal 2020: Rural &Tribal Welfare diminishing atanalarmingrateinthecountry. creating awarenessaboutindigenouscattlebreedsthatare the IshaYoga Center. Thecattleexhibitionwasaimedat different breedsofcattleallwhichhadbeenrearedat age groupsthrongedthevenuetocatchaglimpseof Andhra Pradesh,Maharashtra,andGujarat.Peopleofvarious 20 indigenousbreedsfromdifferentstatesofIndia,including Pongal 2020wasacattleexhibitionwhichshowcasedover to encouragelocalartists.Oneofthemajorattractions prizes tothewinners,andorganizedculturalperformances Isha alsoconductedgamesduringthefestivals,gaveaway to presentvivaciousdanceandskitperformances. students ofIshaSamskritiandVidhyatookcenterstage No celebrationiscompletewithoutmusicanddance, were providedtothemalongwithalltherequiredingredients. folks. Theyregaledinpreparingpongalearthenpotsthat farmers andpeoplefromotherstatesaswelloverseas experience forIshavolunteers,tribalandruralvillagers, fervor attheYoga Center andturnsouttobequiteaunique festival iscelebratedeveryyearwithgreatfanfareand thousands ofpeoplefrominandaroundCoimbatore. This the Pongalfestivalintheirlocalitywhichwasattendedby We alsosupported6tribal and19localvillagestoorganize Pongal 2020celebrationsattheIshaYoga Center inJanuary. Music, dance,games,andalotoffunwerethehighlights Anukampa 2020 | 94 or [email protected] ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation To support,pleasevisit rural communities. our serviceswouldhelpustocreateclean,healthyand empowered needs oflocalvillagesandtribalcommunities.Donations forcontinuing Through yourgenerousdonations,weareabletoaddress theoverall An Appeal Anukampa 2020 | 95 organizations area solution.Thewayforward.” farming hastobelucrative. Farmer producer “If wewanttoensure thefoodsecurity, Organization Farmer Producer into profitableenterprises. support farmingcommunitiestoorganizethemselves of changethatruralIndianeeds,thisinitiativeaimsto market accessandsustainability.Poisedtobetheengine suicide anddwindlingresources,tooneofprosperity, transform theIndianfarmer’slifefromoneofdebttraps, is aFarmer ProducerOrganization (FPO)thataimsto Uzhavan ProducersCompany Ltd. (Velliangiri Uzhavan) Established undertheguidanceofIshain2013,Velliangiri Anukampa 2020 | 96 Farmer ProducerOrganization • • • • • • • Key Features schemes andsubsidies. transactions foravailinggovernment Facilitates fastandhassle-free groundnut oilandcoconutoil. farmers manufactureproductslike Adds valuetofarmproducebyhelping and reducingcultivationcosts. guide farmersonincreasingproductivity Provides freeagriculturalconsultancyto for farmers. Ensures sustainedhighincome Marketing multiplevarietiesofproduce. optimized market priceforcrops. Improves farmers’bargainingpowerand payments tofarmers. transport, market negotiationsandonline care ofharvesting,de-husking,laborand One-stop solutionforfarmers:Takes • • • • • • supplements, healtheducationandYoga. through kitchengardens,nutritional Supports personalwellbeingoffarmers transparent accounting. Provides efficientadministrationand economic developmentofwomen. Encourages activeparticipationand profitable methodologies. and technologies latest the adopt optimize irrigationsystemsand improve soilandproducequality, Conducts fieldtripstohelpfarmers job security. harvest. Laborers,too,getyear-long farmers getfair-priced laborersfor Maintains harvestcalendartohelp retail shop. agricultural inputsthroughtheFPO’s Gets farmersthebestpricesfor Anukampa 2020 | 97 The Year ThatWas 2020 better pricestothefarmersduringmarket glut. creating andmarketing anewproductandgive Shri SPVelumani. ThiswillenabletheFPOin Coimbatore inthepresenceofHon’bleMinister Chennai anditwashandedovertotheFPOin Hon’ble CMShriEdappadiPalanisamy at Puree MakingUnit. Thiswaslaunchedby The FPOhasalsobeengivenaMobileTomato Making Unit Mobile Tomato Puree Farmer ProducerOrganization in venturingintodirectexport. every dayandmarketing it.ThiswillaidtheFPO processing aminimumof8tonsvegetables This givestheFPOanewbusinesspossibilityof at Pooluvapattionrentalbasisforthreeyears. Primary ProcessingCenter (PPC-Vegetables) Velliangiri Uzhavan wonthebidforrunninga Processing Center Primary as perexportstandards. about sorting,grading,and packingtheproducts The farmershavealsonow learnedagreatdeal right qualityandoptimum quantity ofvegetables. valuable experience,andtraining inbuyingthe This achievementgavetheteamencouragement, were exportedtoQatarbyVelliangiri Uzhavan. For thefirsttime,twoloadsofvegetables(5tons) First ExportOrder Anukampa 2020 | 98 Outlook AgricultureConclave inNewDelhi. Uzhavan wonthe“BestFPO”Award atthe activities. On24February2020,Velliangiri all overIndiawereinvitedtoshowcasetheir our stallduringthefairwhere16FPOsfrom 2020. PrimeMinisterNarendraModivisited national fairheldatUttarPradeshinFebruary Tamil Nadutobeselectedparticipateina Velliangiri Uzhavan wasoneoftwoFPOsfrom Best FPOAward Formation andPromotionof10,000FPOs. had launchedaCentral SectorSchemeon in thesamemonth,GovernmentofIndia Cluster BasedBusinessOrganizations.Earlier expression ofinterestforempanelmentas Consortium inFebruary2020tosubmitan from theSmallFarmers Agribusiness Velliangiri Uzhavan alsoreceivedaninvitation Support Government were installedfortrialinthefarms. were donatedbyEcoAeonUK.Thedevices In March2020,5waterimplodingdevices Devices Water Imploding Farmer ProducerOrganization Anukampa 2020 | 99 Sharings heavy losses. laborers. Thesemountingexpensescaused for rentingthetransportvehicleandhiring on thevehicle.Ihadtopayexorbitantrates the market andhirelaborerstoloadthegoods arrange foravehicletotransportmygoods For instance,Ifounditextremelydifficultto and transport,lowerourprofitmargins. that wouldincreasethecostofproduction At everystepweencounteredanewproblem good priceandtheexpensesweretoohigh. despite havingagoodharvestwenevergot for meandallotherfarmersoftheregionas Even fiveyearsback,lifewasquitedifficult lablab, bittergourd,tomato,onion,etc. vegetables like bottlegourd,snake gourd, Thondamuthur blockwhereIcultivate “I owna2-acreplotoflandinthe Narasipuram Village Farmer andVelliangiri UzhavanMember, Vijayakumar Farmer ProducerOrganization and theendusers.” grip, anditisactinglike abridgebetweenus FPO, wearefinallyfreefromthemiddlemen’s market priceforourproduce.Thankstothe Velliangiri Uzhavan alsohelpsusgetthebest vegetables withoutcharginganycommission. Velliangiri Uzhavan alsohelpsusmarket our Along withanumberoffreeservices, very reasonablerateforrentingthevehicle. directly fromourfarms.Andtheychargea and itsrepresentativespickuptheproduce Velliangiri Uzhavan hasitsowngoodsvehicle and depositingthemoneyinouraccounts. ready –rightfromharvestingtomarketing care ofeverythingforusafterthecropsare like me.Now,Velliangiri Uzhavan takes in mylifeandalsoformanyotherfarmers member. Thatbecametheturningpoint cycle whenIbecameaVelliangiri Uzhavan Four yearsagoIfinallybroke thisvicious middlemen forhelpingussellourproducts. Then, wehadtopay10%commissionthe would alwaysbelowerthanourexpectations. they fixedthepriceforourproducewhich The middlemenharmedourprofitsbecause reasonable andstablepricesforourproduce. the priceforourvegetablesandnevergot we didn’thavethepowertodetermine middlemen. Sincewewereactingindividually and otherfarmproduceonlythroughthe did notendaswecouldsellvegetables Even afterreachingthemarket, theproblems end users. between usand the it isactinglike abridge middlemen’s grip, and are finallyfreefromthe Thanks totheFPO, we Farmer Producer Organization

Bagiyam I got an opportunity to attend a training session Farmer and Velliangiri Uzhavan Member, on Azolla cultivation, organized by the Velliangiri Narasipuram Village Uzhavan. The training proved to be very useful “Being a small farmer with some cattle of my as I learnt about the benefits of Azolla. Following own, making ends meet was becoming a little that, Velliangiri Uzhavan gave me an Azolla pond tough, especially since I depend solely on money liner sheet (9 ft. x 6 ft.) and some seeds free of generated by selling milk. But, since I joined cost. With proper guidance from the FPO, I started Velliangiri Uzhavan my luck has changed, I am Azolla cultivation on my farm. now able to earn better. Velliangiri Uzhavan had I realized that an Azolla farm is very easy to organized a workshop which helped improve my maintain and does not require hard work or extra 100 cattle’s overall health and milk production within a time. After just 15 days, I started harvesting more matter of days. than 1 kg of Azolla daily from my farm. I started My association with the Sampanki farmers group feeding it to my livestock regularly and that made of Semmedu village (Cluster No. 1) of Velliangiri a world of difference. The effect of Azolla in their Uzhavan has proven to be a boon. Apart from a daily feed was like a miracle. My cattle seemed small farm, I own four cows, four goats and some more healthy and well-protected from disease. The Anukampa 2020 | hens. However, my cattle fell ill frequently and quality of milk has improved remarkably and the could not generate more than 33 liters of milk daily. buyer now pays more (Rs. 26 to Rs. 27 per liter). The milk was poor in density and the buyer paid Thanks to Velliangiri Uzhavan, I could start Azolla me less owing to the quality (Rs. 24 to Rs. 25 per farming without any investment. And now I am liter). This used to be a source of constant stress getting an additional income every month. Inspired for me, because I spent a lot of money and time to by my good experience with the Azolla experiment, buy fodder and for the upkeep of my cattle, but the my family members also have started adding Azolla returns were not good enough. in the daily fodder for their cattle.”

An Appeal

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. Poised to be the engine of change that rural India needs, this initiative aims to support farming communities to organize themselves into profitable enterprises.

To support, please reach out to [email protected] Anukampa 2020 | 101 the Weave Save “ has beautyandgrace thatissignificant.” that isgraceinthe making.Handwovencloth When humanhands andheartworkintandem, dress today. and physicalwellbeing.Itisaconsciousshiftinhowwe about realizingtheimpactourclothinghasonmental fabrics oversyntheticandmachine-madeonesasitis much aboutreinstatingtheuseofnaturalandhandmade and developingmarket access.Thismovementisjustas and weavingclusters,facilitatingtheuseofnaturaldyes, unique weavesindigenoustoruralIndiabyadoptinglooms of ancientIndia.Theobjectiveistorevivemorethan136 Save theWeave isaninitiativetorevitalizetheweaves Save the Weave

Speaking to renowned Indian fashion designer Events Sabyasachi Mukherjee in June, Sadhguru talked about the following issues/topics:

Comfort should be important in fashion and the solution lies in changing fashion choices and opting for organic clothing. Clothing is intimate to human beings and must be hand produced as much as possible, if not completely. Sabyasachi Isha is trying to connect New York and American Mukherjee in fashion designers with Indian weavers and cloth makers to enable an exchange of handmade textile products. Conversation with This model must be taken up commercially by Indian Sadhguru designers so that it can be scaled up to a global level. Fashion And Beauty The compulsory education system needs to change and students should be also encouraged to learn soft skills Through A New Lens that exist in our country. We need an education which allows students to learn weaving, or art, dyeing or agriculture from an early age.

102 Anukampa 2020 | 103

103 Smriti Irani in Conversation Reputed designers can be given tax incentives with Sadhguru to sell indigenous handloom products. Anukampa 2020 | Sadhguru said that our aesthetics should Save The Weave evolve beyond the standardized, smooth feel of synthetic textiles and we should instead opt Speaking to the Union Minister of Textiles and for the unique texture of handmade cloth that Minister of Women and Child Development is beautiful by itself. He added that handloom Smriti Irani on National Handloom Day is not just a way of making a living but making (August 7), Sadhguru showed the way forward someone else’s life. by providing the following suggestions: A Government policy should be put in place to India’s certification process for organic textiles dedicate 30% of the land to fiber cultivation should be made compliant with international by 2030. This will provide a huge relief to the standards so that our handloom products are farmers because they would have a product acceptable to the global audience. which is profitable and non-perishable.

A policy should be formulated making it The Minister welcomed Sadhguru’s remarks mandatory to use handmade, natural fibers and suggestions before speaking about for students’ uniforms in Government schools. several vital changes the Textile Ministry has The style and design of the uniforms should be instituted to make weaving a commercially indigenous to the respective states. Sadhguru viable proposition for weavers. added that when children wear handmade cloth, they will learn to appreciate and value indigenous designs and the rich legacy of Indian weaves will live on. Anukampa 2020 | 104 Gramotsavam Isha societal change. the projectislayingfoundationforarobust women regaintheirself-confidenceandspirit, events isempowermentofwomen.Byhelping critical positivechangesbroughtbytheseteam impact ofthesecommunityactivities.Onethe Even COVID-19 couldnotcurbthefar-reaching brought fortharemarkablechangeinmanylives. evening villagersgottogethertoplaygamesthat Till thepandemiclockdown disruptedlives,every community kinship. uplifting interventionrenewsthejoyandspiritof and addiction.Thissimplebutpowerfully to thegrowingproblemofsubstanceabuse recreational activitiesasahealthyalternative of southernIndiatotake upteamsportsand has encouragedpeoplestayinginruralareas resilient ruralspirit.Aspartofthisproject,Isha community, empowerwomen,andrevivethe from addictions,breakcastebarrierswithinthe transformation thathelpsweanvillagersaway it hasevolvedintoaneffectivetoolforsocial and inspirepeopleforpositivechange.Today, empower individuals,transformcommunities, Isha Gramotsavamwaslaunchedin2004to 32 10,000+ 100,000+ 6 45 plans in2021 and coachingin2020 with sportsmaterials,courts Gobichettipalayam provided state expansion districts ofTamil Nadu villages in teams players Anukampa 2020 | 105 “ neighborhoods, villages,andtowns. Let’s bringgames,sports,and A ballcanchange theworld. playfulness into ourfamilies, Anukampa 2020 | 106 or reachout [email protected] To support, please visitishagramotsavam.org over thenextfewyears. committed individualsand companiestocreateasportingcultureacrossthenation levels, andplatformsforsporting events.We seek contributionsandsupportfrom groups, toconducttournaments, strengthensportsinfrastructureatvillage bring sportintoeveryone’slife.To dothis,weneedcollaborationwithinterested neighboring states.Butmoreneedstobedone.Thevision istomake Indiaplay,and Isha GramotsavamiscreatingawaveinTamil Nadu,whichisnowspreadingto An Appeal A gameislifeatfullthrottle.Areyougame…” “You cannotplayagamehalf-heartedly. Anukampa 2020 | 107 appreciative andgratefulforthewaycrematoriums functioned. of thepandemic.Family membersofthedeceasedwerevery into thehigh-riskcategoryweregivenpaidleavefor the duration ensure uninterruptedserviceduringthistime.Thestaff whofell our staffandtheirfamilymemberscooperatedwholeheartedly to within thepremisestoavoidoutsidecontactandinfection. All The volunteerspreparedfood,beveragesandNilavembu Kashayam have beenprovidedatallourcrematoriums. sanitizers, handgloves,masks,andotherdisinfectant materials that theycouldextendtheirserviceswithoutbreak.PPE,hand for someofthemtostayattherespectivecrematoriumsso crematoriums, wehadtaken extracarebymakingarrangements COVID-infected bodies.Forthesafetyofpeoplerunning without abreakasweextendedourservicesforthecremationof During thepandemicperiodourcrematoriumsfunctioned the Pandemic During Services facilities andconductthemselveswithcare,gracedignity. also provideemploymenttoyouth,trainingthemmaintainthe contribute toasafer, cleanerenvironment.Thecrematoriums improve burningefficiency,reducecarbonemissionsand We haveinstalledLPGpipelinestoreplacetheuseoffirewood, the heartsoffamilydeceased. processes areperformedwithsensitivityandawarenesstoease in thespiritofserviceratherthanasacommercialventure.The and deathritualswithapowerfulenergybasis,conductingthem Sthanams (crematoriums), Ishahasrevivedancienttraditions beyond” havelosttheirfundamentalessence.AtKayantha Over thelastcentury,certainritualspertainingto“journey Sthanam Kayantha Anukampa 2020 | 108 Anukampa 2020 | 109 they tookcare ofthefinalrites. and whileSwaraj was inconsolable ingrief, already waitingforus.They receiveduswithcare When wereachedthecrematorium, peoplewere assured methatinthiscase nomoneyisrequired. up thein-chargeatIsha crematoriumandhe Since Swaraj didnothaveenoughmoney,Icalled relevant documents. with Swaraj tohishometownandgotallthe body. Iasked myhusbandtohelpandwewent hospital authoritiesrefusedtohandoverhiswife’s hurry, hedidnothaveproperdocumentsandthe brought hiswifefortreatmenttoCoimbatore ina Swaraj wascryinginconsolably.Sincehehad On thefourthday,however, Jyotidiedand since hewasfacingfinancialdifficulties. some moneyfrommyfriendsandgaveittoSwaraj bringing foodandfruitjuicedaily.Ievencollected predicament andforfourdaysIsupportedthemby was alonewithnobodytohelp.Imovedbyhis Jyoti, 22,wasincriticalconditiontheICUandhe with alittlebabyinhisarms.Ilearnedthatwife, saw ayoungman,Swaraj, 23,runninghelterskelter a friendwhosemotherwasundergoingdialysis,I In March2020whenIwasatahospitaltohelp are theretocrematealovedone. crematorium oftentolendashoulderpeoplewho carried outmovedmeandsincethenIvisitthe unexpectedly. Themannerinwhichritualswere time in2011whenmyfather-in-law expiredquite “I wenttotheIshaKayanthaSthanamforfirst Social Worker/Beneficiary Chitra Sivakumar Kayantha Sthanam should beperformedatthesameIshacrematorium.” in frontoftheKalabhairavastatueandmyfinalrites my childrenthatwhenIdie,bodyshouldbeput pay theirlastrespectstothedeparted.Ihavetold not justacrematorium;itistemplewherepeople was crematedwithimmenserespect.Thisplaceis because ofhisfinancialconditionandthedeceased crematoriums, Swaraj didnotneedtopaymoney forced tocoughupalotofmoney.Here,inIsha and inothercrematoriumstheywouldhavebeen Many peoplefacethispredicamentonadailybasis and thatwasenoughforus. deceased wasmuchlovedbyherfamilymembers deceased’s familyfollowed,wejustknewthatthe not knowwhatreligionorcasteritualsthe Kalabhairava wasblessingthedeceased.We did incense smoke envelopedthearea,Ifeltthat statue, flowersandturmericwereoffered.As was placedrespectfullyinfrontoftheKalabhairava behaved like caringrelatives.Thedeceased’sbody everything wastaken careofbythestafftherewho From themomentweenteredcrematorium to the dead. pay theirlast respects temple where people a crematorium;itis This placeisnotjust Anukampa 2020 | 110 An Appeal To support,[email protected] adopting crematoriumsand makingthisserviceavailabletoall. to adoptandbeautify1000-3000 crematoriumsinIndia.We seekyourhelpin natural environments.Helpusreviveourancienttradition. Sadhguru’svisionis structures, indifferentandstigmatizedstaffmembers, pollutedanddegraded find thesesacredspaceshavedevolvedintoscenesof neglect:ramshackle affordable. Currently, ifyouvisitcremationcentersthroughoutIndia,will and religiousbackgrounds. Thesubsidized andfixedfees keep cremationsvery across thestateofTamil Nadu,whichareopentopeopleofallsocio-economic This projectaimstodevelopandmaintaineco-friendly crematoriumfacilities we haveresponsibilitiestowardsthedead.” “As wehaveresponsibilitiesfortheliving, Anukampa 2020 | 111

Raising Human Consciousness Today, it is more important than ever to“ raise human consciousness, so that technology becomes a means of empowerment, not destruction. Anukampa 2020 | 113 Consciousness Raising Human heroes, thebenefitsof Yoga arequiteuniversal. From incarceratedinmates,tohumblevillagersand for theIndianArmy,ruralcommunities,andprisoners. transformation. Theseincludeprogramsconducted provide powerfultoolsforinnerexplorationand are conductedregularlybyIshaworldwidethat affirms wholenessandvitality.Anarrayofprograms methods forestablishingoneselfinawayoflifethat on anexperientiallevel.Theprogramsprovide its fulldepthanddimensioniscommunicated activities taken upbyIsha.AtIsha,Yoga istaught in Raising humanconsciousnessisatthecoreofall own Hands.” course ofdestinyinto one’s – apowerfulmeanstotake the “Technologies forwellbeing Anukampa 2020 | 114 steadily, itwasalsomadeavailableinmultiplelanguages. registrations inunder6months.Asthereachofcourseincreased in registrationsfortheonlinecourse.We recordedover2.7lakh to thelockdown resoundedacrosstheworldandfoundareflection The cryforhelpofdistressedpeoplewhowerestuckathomedue made availableathalftheprice. medical professionalsandpolice.Forallotherstheprogramwas Inner EngineeringOnlinefreetotheCOVID Warriors whichincluded To assistpeopleduringthesetimes,Ishaoffereditsflagshipprogram so wecanbeastrongandupliftingsupporttoeveryonearoundus. vital toenhancepeople’sexuberance,innerbalance,andwellbeing, changes inourdailylives.Insuchasituation,itbecomesevenmore to theCOVID-19 pandemic,mostofusareexperiencingdramatic With theworldgoingthroughextraordinarilychallengingtimesdue for COVID Warriors Offered Free Online Inner Engineering all volunteers formakingthishappen.” wonderful supportandam thankfulto I bowdowntoSadhgurufor this needed inthischallenging situation. Sadhguru isjustawesome. Itwasmuch and nowthisonlineguidedsessionby practices. SimhaKriyaisdeeplyrelaxing manage myselfjustbecauseofmydaily extreme stressandanxiety.Iamableto I seemanyhealthcareworkers arein Equipment) forme. it workslike aPPE(PersonalProtective me copewiththeseanxietiesandIfeel daily InnerEngineeringpracticehelps while Itookeep worryingforthem.My family membersworryformysafety exposes ustovariousinfections.My “Going tothehospitaleveryday Dr. AmitaVyas Anukampa 2020 | 115 on 14May2018 Harvard University’sSandersTheater, in conversationwithmedicalscientistsat Memory, Consciousness andComa -Sadhguru for aConscious Planet Sadhguru Center community outreach. exploration, andbuildsawarenessthrougheducation rigorous research,facilitatesthoughtfulconversationsand works closelywithHarvardMedicalSchoolandconducts class teachinghospitalofHarvardMedicalSchool.TheCenter the BethIsraelDeaconessMedicalCenter (BIDMC),aworld- Department ofAnesthesia,CriticalCareandPain Medicineat and compassion.TheCenter wasestablishedin2020bythe the relationshipbetweenhumanconsciousness,cognition multidisciplinary researchcenterfocusedonunderstanding The SadhguruCenter foraConscious Planetisa and contemplativesciences to integratemedical A scientificapproach Anukampa 2020 | 116 Programs Rural Yoga to findsolutions. empowered withstabilityandclarity,enablingthem people arephysically,mentallyandemotionally the spiritandpromoteholisticwellbeingsothat can beoverwhelming,theseYoga programsrevitalize communities wherethedailychallengesofpoverty so thattheyderivemaximumbenefits.Inrural customized foreachsegmentofthepopulation Isha Yoga ProgramsaredesignedbySadhguruand the RuralSpirit Revitalizing Anukampa 2020 | 117 “ ourselves shallwe be empoweredtocreateafairsociety.” wellbeing. Ifonlywe createtherightkindofclimatewithin We allhavethepotential toliveinblissfulnessandinner Anukampa 2020 | 118 in Marathi Inner Engineering Maharashtra in Ghatanji, the firsttime Offered for Rural Yoga Programs a fantastictransformation. the wholecommunitywhichwentthrough and happyenergy.Theclassprovedtobemiraculousfor people. Thevillagersinfusedtheclasswithexuberance every household in Ghatanji, we were able to register 110 the passionateeffortsofourvolunteerswhovisited session, onlyeightpeopleregistered.However, dueto tenterhooks becausetillfourdaysbeforethefirst locals. Thefirstprogram kept theIshavolunteerson to hosttheIEprograminMarathilanguagefor Ghatanji becameoneofthefirstplacesincountry Yoga andInnerEngineering(IE)programs. transformation ofGhatanjialsoincludesconducting The holisticapproachoftheteamtoensure and socioeconomicconditionsofthelocalresidents. revive theWaghadi Riverandimprovetheecological local peoplesinceIshavolunteersarrivedtohelp a norm.Hopeisbloomingagainintheheartsof people’s distressandfarmers’suicideshadbecome years. Ghatanjiisatroubledareawherewaterscarcity, Maharashtra thathasseenenormoussufferingfor 119 Tejas Isha Yoga Instructor

“The first Marathi class in Ghatanji was really a dream that I did not know would ever become a special experience for me. There were almost reality. A lady was almost in tears while sharing no local volunteers here. But we had our Nadi how big an experience it was for her. Veeras who have braved extreme summers Anukampa 2020 | (temperatures shoot up to 48 degrees Celsius) The villagers were so excited to attend the and acute water scarcity. I had the privilege class that they came straight from the fields of working with this fantastic group of young where they had been working since 4 am Nadi Veeras. With sheer fire in their hearts, in the morning. Some of them cycled more they have transformed themselves. Out of the than 10 kilometers to reach the class. The 34 of them who are in Ghatanji, only a handful innocence and openness with which they can speak Marathi while all others manage participated in the class really touched me. with Hindi. But the level of trust they have Many times I felt that Sadhguru was holding gained in the village is simply incredible. all of them with love, like little children. On the last day, one of the participants shared, The first challenge we faced was the rundown ‘I thought I came here to learn some Yoga, but condition of the hall where the IE class was to I never thought it would change my life and be conducted. The hall authorities did try to above all change me as a person from within. clean it but failed to have much impact. Then I feel that this is just the beginning. Very soon the volunteers swung into action and slowly the whole village is going to change.’ the place started changing. Within hours the place was totally transformed. With meager resources, they had made the hall and even the I am so grateful to have surrounding area feel like a sacred space. When the class began, right after the introduction, I witnessed this miracle felt a surge of energy among the participants. unfolding in this remote I looked around during the break and it felt like a festival with everybody’s faces bright and part of Maharashtra that smiling. Personally, for me it was like living a has seen such enormous suffering for years. Free Yoga Programs

During these unusually challenging times of a global Amplifying pandemic, having a robust immunity and a well- functioning respiratory system is of paramount Immunity importance. Simha Kriya is a powerful Yogic process with Simha designed by Sadhguru as a support for our health. It offers multiple health benefits - strengthens our Kriya respiratory system and immunity, and builds samat prana, which acts like an armor to help the practitioner resist negative impacts.

120 Anukampa 2020 | Anukampa 2020 | 121 Free Yoga Programs and breathingcapacity. improve yourimmunity Simha Kriyawillhelp practiced withsincerity, confidence thatif I cansaywith Name withheldforprivacy breathing capacity.” help improveyourimmunity and practiced withsincerity,Simha Kriyawill this andIcansaywithconfidencethatif I wouldlike tothankmyfriendforsuggesting as thefrustratingquarantine. immunity andtakingmeoutofCOVID aswell worked wondersformebyimprovingmy turned outtobenegative.SimhaKriyahad sample wastaken on26thMaywhichalso I kept onpracticingtheSimhaKriya.Asecond 8 positiveresults! turned outtobe“negative”–aftermorethan Astonishingly, mysampleonthe24thMay practicing theSimhaKriya4to5timesaday. suggested ItrytheSimhaKriya.And,started with mybestfriend,RaviKumar, he On 22ndMay,whenIsharedmyconcerns my immunity,buttherewasnoimprovement. oranges, lemonsandginger, etc.toimprove I wasstillworried.startedtoeatalotof 24 days.ThoughIdidn’tshowanysymptoms, days butresultscontinuedtobepositivefor stress. Sampleswerebeingtaken everyfour in thehotelroom,strugglingwithfearand Life inquarantinewasboring.Ialone decided toquarantineusinhotels. asymptomatic positivecases,thehospital further treatment.However, sincewewere company decidedtoshiftusahospitalfor tested positivebutwereasymptomatic.Our together) werealsoisolatedandtested.We all As hisroommates,we(fourofuslived he wasCOVID positive. soon afterwards.Afterfivedays,testsrevealed towards theendofAprilandwasisolated fever withmildsymptomsofCOVID-19 of theUAE.Onemycolleaguesdeveloped “I amanIndiancitizenresidinginemirate Free Yoga Programs Online Webinars

Upa Yoga

The pandemic may have partially hampered our plans for conducting in-person programs, but we soon found a way to resume our activities, while adhering to all the safety measures and lockdown rules. Our volunteers were quick to take the aid of technology and cyberspace to conduct online webinars. As a result we were able to conduct a number of Yoga programs online.

193 498 Upa-Yoga sessions Corporate Sessions 11,362 53,035 People attended Participants from 48 389 companies 122 32,540 Online Public Sessions Participants for Inner 90,000 Engineering Online webinar Participants Anukampa 2020 | 123

123 Surya Shakti Offered free in

Anukampa 2020 | Tamil Nadu and Kerala 2,300 To help people deal with stresses, anxieties and ailments Yoga Veeras in training during the pandemic by introducing them to an ancient Yogic practice, Sadhguru on Guru Purnima announced that Surya Shakti will be offered free of cost to the people 500 staying in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala region. He also spoke Yoga Veeras conducted about the possibility of becoming a Yoga Veera who would webinars during the be able to offer Surya Shakti through webinars. lockdown Anukampa 2020 | 124 Programs Prison Yoga hardened criminalsintosage-like beings. Over theyears,theseprogramshavetransformedmany of love,freedom,andjoy–freefromangerhatred. prisoners andhavehelpedthembloomintoanaturalstate transforming programshavetouchedtheverycoreof the complexitiesoftheirimprisonment.Theselife- of theiraggressionandviolentbehaviorhandle inner awarenesswhichhelpsthemexaminetheroots cope insocietyoncereleased.Prisonersdevelopan while incarceratedbutprovidetoolstosuccessfully skills. Theselearningsnotonlyimprovetheirlives balance, responsibility,acceptance,andcommunication The programhelpsinmatesdevelopemotionalandmental achieving innerpeaceandfreedomfortheinmates. the United States.Thisprogrampresentsthepossibilityof offered freeofcosttoprisonersatvarioussitesinIndiaand just inmatesbutalsojailofficialsandstaff.Thisprogramis 1992. Duringthelast28yearsprogramhasservednot humanity promptedthebirthofPrisonYoga Programsin transformation toanoften-forgottensegmentof Sadhguru’s longingtoofferthetechnologyforinner A PrisonInmate again, tillIcomeoutandsee you,Sadhguru.” Yoga session.Iwantitto beplayedoverand my behalf.Iliked asongthatwas played duringthe again. Ithankthevolunteer whowrotethisletteron comfortable, relaxingandwonderful.Pleasedocome “Attending asessionofIshaYoga wasvery A PrisonInmate Center andallthevolunteers.” I wanttoconveymyheartfeltgratitudeIshaYoga am lookingforabetterjobtotake careofmyfamily. program Ihavedecidedtoleavethejobandnow used toworkinawineshop.AfterattendingtheIsha experienced alotofdifferencewithinme.Tillthen,I “After participatingina3-dayIshaYoga program,I Anukampa 2020 | 125 “ tools totransform their lives.” is whyweareproviding prisonerswiththenecessary but youhavethepowertocreateyour tomorrow.That You cannotfixsomething thathappenedyesterday, Anukampa 2020 | 126 Online Prison Yoga Goes Prison Yoga Programs positive changesinthem. to visittheprisoners,wereableobserve authorities andevenrelatives,whocame discipline levelshaveimprovedinjails;prison methods forstressandanger. Asaresult, violent behavior, andlearnalternativecoping tools toexaminetherootcausesoftheir The programprovidedtheparticipantswith participants weresplitintodifferentgroups. Social distancingprotocolswerefollowedand were guidedbytrainedIshaYoga instructors. webinar forprisoninmatesandstaff.Sessions Program wasofferedonlineasastructured Given theCOVID-19 pandemic,PrisonYoga 15,589 Online programs 20 Special prisonforwomen Tamil Nadu Central prisonsacross participants in

Anukampa 2020 | 127 Sadhguru Session with An Online and anger. emotions suchasfear, loneliness,guilt,shame wellbeing anddealingwithcripplingnegative questions fromtheprisonersrelatedtomental and interactions.Healsoansweredseveral the mindthroughinterestingexperiments Sadhguru demonstratedthemechanicsof external circumstances. state withinthemselvesregardlessof prisoners mustworktowardscreatingajoyful resisting theinevitable,Sadhgurusaidthat to humanity.Stressingonthefutilityof transformation and made lasting contributions who usedtheirprisontermsforinner like MahatmaGandhiandNelsonMandela interaction, Sadhguruspoke abouticons of prisonsacrossTamil Nadu.Duringthe Department andinteractedwithinmates Sunil Kumar SinghDGP, Tamil NaduPrison a one-hourlivesessionorganizedbyMr. As apartofthisproject,Sadhguruattended Prison Yoga Programs truly miraculous. see amonginmatesare changes thatwegetto Yoga programs.The been conductingPrison Since 2008,Ihave Isha Yoga Instructor Swami Udaaradhi so thathegetstocompleteallthesessions.” should notbeapprovedforanotherfewdays night beforegoingtobedthathisbailpetition take partinitially,hehasbeenprayingevery confessed thatthoughhewasreluctantto there, andwhilesharinghisexperience,he for oneday.Onthethirddayhewasstill and convincedhimtoattendevenifitwas all thesessions.But,Ireasonedwithhim next dayandwillnotbeabletocomplete he shouldbeexcusedaswillgetbailthe showed reluctancetoattend.Hesaidthat program, oneoftheinmatescameand was whenduringaseven-dayPrisonYoga One ofthemostimpactfulexperiences practices kept hergoing. prison sheusedtobeveryupsetbutthe She sharedthatwhenshefirstcametothe balance duringhertimeinprison. Yoga hashelpedhermaintainmental woman approachedmeandsaidthatIsha a programforprisonersofCentral Jail,a one occasionwhenwewereconducting for meastheinmates.Recently, on and thejourneyhasbeenastransformational “I firstattendedaPrison Yoga sessionin2001 With Sadhguru in Challenging Times

As nations went into lockdown, Sadhguru started hosting 78 darshans to help bring a sense of peace and balance to people Darshans offered online stuck at home as well as many who were away from home. for Challenging Times Apart from the darshans, Sadhguru also took part in online events with various organizations, media persons, celebrities, sports personalities, NGO administrators, corporate honchos, 17 million top Government officials, medical professionals, entertainers, People viewed the educationists and fashion designers. darshans from around the globe 127 Online Events 7 million Total Reach With Sadhguru in Challenging Times Sharing

Rahul Srivastava Delhi

“Being closeted with my spouse during the lockdown is proving to be quite something for me. To add to this we have a toddler who wants her share of attention and is always doing her own thing. Married people can easily relate to this ‘predicament’.

Sadhguru came to my rescue during these 129 trying times. The weekly Sadhguru Darshan acted like a booster dose for me and helped me maintain my inner peace even during this crisis. Sadhguru’s grace makes me offer my best to any situation, whether with the child

Anukampa 2020 | or while doing household chores. In fact I feel like a volunteer doing all these activities from morning to night joyfully. No matter what the other person or situation is throwing at me, joy fills every pore in my body. It keeps my mood light, focused and compassionate even in situations that I don’t like.”

The weekly Sadhguru Darshan acted like a booster dose for me and helped me maintain my inner peace even during this crisis. Anukampa 2020 | 130 [email protected] [email protected] CSR opportunities: [email protected] [email protected] Donations: out tousifyouwishknowmoreorgetinvolved. a conduciveatmospheretoblossomtheirfullpotential. Reach world forourfuturegenerations,wherehumanbeings canfind before themselves.We requireyour supportincreatingabetter and organizationswhoarewillingtoputthewellbeing ofothers consistent supportofasubstantialgroupcommitted people transformation cannothappenwithoutthecontinuous and of ruralandtribalpeopleacrossthenation.Large-scalesocial the comingyearsandimprovequalityoflifeformillions It isalsoourdreamandvisiontoscaleuptheseinitiativesin An Appeal We expressourheartfeltgratitudetoeachoneofthem. are abletoreachoutandtouchthelivesofsomanyinruralIndia. It isthankstotheirgeneroussupportandcontributionsthatwe made Ishawhatitistoday. This reportisdedicatedtoallourdonorsandvolunteerswhohave Gratitude Heartfelt Our Anukampa 2020 | 131

Anukampa 2020 | We canmake thisthemost wonderful been asempoweredwearetoday. Ishana ViharPost,Coimbatore -641114 Isha Yoga Center, Velliangiri Foothills, “Never beforehasHumanity in thehistoryofHumanity.” ishaoutreach.org | andimpactfultime 83000 83111