Bangalore, Karnataka -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/03/2011 -- Spiritual leader, humanitarian & founder of The Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will embark on a two-day tour, titled ' Hosa chiguru hale beru' of Bellary and Gadag, beginning February 1, 2011, with a vision of a developed and empowered rural Karnataka.

During his tour of North Karnataka, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will address a cross-section of people in public interactions, seminar, and satsangs. On Feb 1, 2011 at Bellary, his visit will be marked as 'Anandotsava'. Here, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will inaugurate a seminar on 'Business and Spirituality' organized by the Bellary Chamber of Commerce. The event will be attended by industrialists, traders, doctors and lawyers. Later, he will lead a satsang at Municipal college grounds.

Titled 'Hasirotsava', his visit to Gadag on February 2, will be to inspire farmers to pledge and support a vision of a poison-free land, food and water. In his presence, more than 50,000 people from the rural belts of Karnataka will take an oath to practice organic farming. Hundred and eight farmers will also be felicitated for practicing the ancient science of Rishi Krishi or organic farming.

"We have trained over 2000 farmers in organic farming in Karnataka. The ancient science of Rishi Krishi or organic farming will not just improve health standards but also revive human values in society," asserted Nagraj, Director, Divine Karnataka Project.

In keeping with his vision of the tour to empower rural Karnataka, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will inaugurate Art of Living's first agriculture college offering a diploma in Organic Farming with certified from IGNOU, at Harthi. In the evening, he is scheduled to inaugurate the Harthi Temple Samudhaya Bhavan.

Inspired by Sri Sri's vision of creating a stress free and a violence free society, The Art of Living through its various service initiatives and stress-elimination programs in villages, slums, prisons, flood-affected areas has touched the lives of lakhs of people. Through the Divine Karnataka Project alone (DKP), the organization has been working particularly with women and children in urban slums and rural areas. More than 1204 villages have been touched with The Art of Living's various developmental projects. 561 Self Help Groups have been formed, 560 toilets have been built. About 800 women have undergone training in tailoring. Under the Vidya Shilpa program, 206 government schools have been selected for providing holistic education and 1, 20,000 children have benefited from the various stress-elimination programs.

For further enquiries:
Karthik Krishna: +91-9342582375