Shri Shri Ravi Shankar who founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981 turned 59 on May 13. On account of the spiritual leader’s birthday, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi extended his birthday greeting, says Vaikundarajan. The Prime Minister took to Twitter to share his wishes."My warmest greetings on your birthday. I pray that you are blessed with a long life that is filled with good health," he wrote.

1. Vaikundarajan Wishes Shri Shri Ravi Shankar ‘A
Happy Birthday’
Shri Shri Ravi Shankar who founded the Art of Living
Foundation in 1981 turned 59 on May 13. On account of the
spiritual leader’s birthday, Prime Minister of India Narendra
Modi extended his birthday greeting, says Vaikundarajan. The
Prime Minister took to Twitter to share his wishes."My warmest

2. greetings on your birthday. I pray that you are blessed with a
long life that is filled with good health," he wrote.
He continued, "You are a shining beacon of great service and
compassion, @SriSri ji. We are very proud of your phenomenal
work in India and at the world stage”.
Today on his 59th
birthday, Vaikundarajan gives out some
interesting facts about him.
1. Ravi Shankar was named "Ravi" because his birth falls on a
Sunday, and "Shankar" after the eighth-century Hindu
saint, Adi Shankara, because it was also Shankara's birthday
that day.
2. By the age of 4, he was able to recite verses from the
Bhagavad Gita without even being taught the text. Ravi
Shankar's first teacher was Sudhakar Chaturvedi, an Indian
Vedic Scholar and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
3. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph's
College, Bangalore University. After completing his

3. graduation, Shankar travelled with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
giving talks and arranging conferences on Vedic science,
and setting up meditation and Ayurveda centres
4. His Art of Living foundation is now spread over 152
countries and is considered the world's largest volunteer-
based NGO.
5. He was always scolded by his mother, Amma, for bringing
an empty suitcase after a travel because he would give
away all his clothes to others.
6. In the year 2009, Shankar was named by Forbes Magazine
as the fifth most powerful leader in India.
Vaikundarajan wishes this powerful and spiritual leader ‘A
Very Happy Birthday’
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