Media’s role is pivotal in creating a Divine Society – Art of Living Teacher Vishnu Prakash

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Vishnu Prakash with the world renowned Spiritual Leader & Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar ji in United States of America
Vishnu Prakash with the world renowned Spiritual Leader & Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravishankar ji in USA

On the auspicious occasion of the International Day of Yoga, portal.idiya.co has launched “My Happy World” interview series, that makes people from various walks of life pause from their busy life to spend a few moments’ time to ponder on what gives them Happiness and how they can contribute to a Better World, through their thoughts and actions.

This is one small step towards fulfilling former Indian president Late Dr. Abdul Kalam’s dream of an Enlightened Society, a Beautiful World – a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous World. Let’s co-create a better India and a better world as envisioned by Dr. Kalam. The Change starts from YOU.. When you start becoming a little Happier than yesterday, then this world has already become a slightly better place than yesterday!

Part of this, portal.idiya.co is interviewing thought leaders, change makers and unsung heroes from diverse backgrounds of about their simple ways of being Happy and making others Happy!


portal.idiya.co founder and chief editor Krishna Reddy interviews Vishnu Prakash, an Art of Living Teacher & Technical Program Manager by profession, who has worked with Microsoft and other companies. Vishnu Prakash is an energetic 29 year old youngster, who is very passionate about various noble social causes that uplift the mankind.

Krishna Reddy, CEO – iDiya Labs & Founder – portal.idiya.co
Vishnu Prakash, SriDhenu Founder & renowned Art of Living Teacher
Vishnu Prakash, SriDhenu Founder & renowned Art of Living Teacher

Vishnu travels all over India to inspire thousands of people from diverse backgrounds and imparts them essential life skills that enriches them with Happy & Healthy lifestyle. In this inspiring interview Vishnu talks about his social service projects and his ideas for a better world.

Vishnu Prakash meditating for World Peace during a serene and divine Yoga retreat on the banks of Ganga river at Rishikesh
Vishnu Prakash meditating for World Peace during a serene and divine Yoga retreat on the banks of Ganga river at Rishikesh


Krishna Reddy:
 Vishnu, it is in fact a pleasure for portal.idiya.co to talk to you about your ideas for a better world, wherein people would be healthy, happy, stress-free, harmonious and violence-free. Tell us briefly about yourself.
Vishnu Prakash: Krishna, it is indeed a pleasure for me to share my ideas with you. Here is a brief summary of what I do:
Professional: I am a computer Science Graduate from Thapar University, Patiala. I am also a MACH alumnus from Microsoft and Developer Platform Evangelist for Indian Academia. Overall I have 8 years of solid IT Industry experience in roles like Developer and Program Manager with Microsoft. I have also contributed technically to few Indian startup like MartJack and 42Gears.

Vishnu Prakash with the Enlightened Master and renowned Spiritual Leader & founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar
Vishnu Prakash with the Enlightened Master and renowned Spiritual Leader & founder of Art of Living Sri Sri Ravishankar


Personal:
 
I consider myself a proper 100% Indian. Born in Uttar Pradesh, brought up in Bihar, studied in Punjab and have worked in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka and now relocated to North East India. A social activist, currently I am full time engaged with Sridhenu, an NGO that preserve the desi cows (Cows of indigenous Indian breeds). I am also a  full time travelling Art of Living teacher.
Hobbies: I love to cook, compose poems, explore Vedas, travel, meditate and conduct the Happiness Program of the Art of Living. An amalgamation of innocence and intelligence is what defines Vishnu.

Krishna: What makes You Happy?
Vishnu: The time to be Happy is “Now”. My idea of happiness is being happy in “this” moment. Making people around me happy, really makes me happy. For me it feels like Heaven in being the instrument of my Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji in Creating a Divine society.

Vishnu Prakash Campaigning for Mission 100% Voting in Hyderabad in 2014. PC: Kiran Kumar Reddy
Vishnu Prakash Campaigning for Mission 100% Voting in Hyderabad in 2014. PC: Kiran Kumar Reddy
Vishnu Prakash conducted trauma and stress relief programs for Bangalore Central Jail prisoners.
“Inside every culprit, their is a victim crying for help” – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Vishnu Prakash conducted trauma and stress relief programs for Bangalore Central Jail prisoners.

Krishna: What are your Service Activities?
Vishnu: I have been associated with the Art of Living for almost a decade now. I am involved in numerous projects directly inspired by my Guru – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

  • Blanket of Grace: Helped needy people by providing hundreds of blankets to them in Hyderabad.
  • Lingampally Railway Station adoption as per Swatch Bharat mission started by honorable Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • Created the Sridhenu platform (an NGO) for Desi (Indian) cow preservation.
  • Created hundreds of Youth Leaders through the Art of Living programs.
  • Taught trauma and stress release techniques to convicted criminals through the Prison SMART (Stress Management And Rehabilitation Training) program sponsored by the International Association for Human Values at Central Jail in Bangalore.
  • Been a motivational speaker. Gave life style talks and conducted stress-management programs at Microsoft, Infosys, Prosoft, Bank of Baroda, iQuanti, Wipro, NIIT tech, freshersworld.com to name a few.
  • Nurturing youngsters at Indian School of BusinessIIT-Hyderabad, IIIT-Hyderabad, ICFAI Business School.
  • Paani Do yaaro project: Took care of birds during intensive summers in Hyderabad and Bangalore
  • Mission Green Earth: Planted more than 10000 saplings directly and indirectly by motivating youngsters from various walks of life. Once I motivated one of my students in Hyderabad to plant a sapling for a better environment. Inspired by this he planted 3000 saplings in a short span of time.
Picnic with a group of youngsters in Hyderabad, in which Vishnu Prakash conducted a guided meditation. Photo courtesy: Kiranmai Kalla
Picnic with a group of youngsters in Hyderabad, in which Vishnu Prakash conducted a guided meditation. PC: Kiranmai Kalla. Vishnu Prakash strongly believes that every moment in Life is a Celebration. Vishnu leads by example by spreading smiles around and making Life a Divine Celebration.

Krishna: What are your Unique Skills?
Vishnu: All the skills are meant to be used for others. Some of my skills are: inspiring and leading by example; Tech savvy, logical and proper planning with a vision; an overwhelming sense of belongingness to everyone, I can connect with people from all walks of life and feel like home where ever I go; The power of Spirituality, very high on Spiritual Quotient! A self-contented package overall! Very good at articulation and writing skills; A good public speaker.

Vishnu Prakash and his team of youth leaders visiting Art of Living International Headquarters in Bangalore
Vishnu Prakash and his team of youth leaders visiting Art of Living International Headquarters in Bangalore

Krishna: Your Idea of Heaven?!
Vishnu: A heaven is a place where there is inner happiness along with freedom and a huge sense of belongingness. When the mind is calm and peaceful even in adverse situations, we are in heaven. Heaven is bringing a smile on everyone face. It is not somewhere up the sky but deep within our heart. As my Guru says, “Deepen the roots and broaden the vision”. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar brings a commitment to bring heaven on earth.

Vishnu Prakash Conducted an official training session for the Senior Executives, Branch Heads and Bank Managers of Bank of Baroda. Vishnu says
Vishnu Prakash Conducted an official training session for the Senior Executives, Branch Heads and Bank Managers of Bank of Baroda. Vishnu says “A few minutes of Pranayams and a small meditation made them naturally happy like small babies”.

Krishna: Your Great Idea (for a better world)?!
Vishnu: Only an implemented idea can bring a change. Finish important and not so urgent things then and there, so that it does not become urgent!

Krishna: Your success formula?!
Vishnu: For me success is governed by the formula IAM. Have a strong Intention, put 100% Attention and witness it Manifesting. An unwavering smile and being centered in favorable or unfavorable situations. A commitment to serve others effortlessly. Drop all the prejudices against anyone because in some levels we all are one. Pondering on “How much love have I shared? and how much knowledge have I gained?”.

Krishna: Your Health Tips?
Vishnu: Here is what I follow to keep myself happy, healthy, fit and active:
1) 20 minutes of meditation both morning and evening along with Sudarshan Kriya practice.
2) Daily practice of 20 minutes of Yoga Asanas without fail.
3) Follow a vegetarian diet, eat lunch like a king and dinner like a beggar!
4) Follow Ayurveda religiously!
5) After lunch sleep a while, after dinner walk a mile.

Vishnu Prakash spending time with Gyr breed of desi (Indian) cows at Art of Living Ashram, Bangalore. Vishnu says "Fresh cow dung has lot of prana (positive energy and vibrations), keep in your hands for a while and it will give you a nice divine feeling. Gyr breed of Indian cows' ancestors spent time with Lord Krishna in Gokul in Gujarat
Vishnu Prakash with the amazing Gyr breed of Indian cows, whose ancestors spent with Lord Krishna in Gokul in Gujarat

Krishna: What are your future plans / goals / dream projects ?
Vishnu: My goal is to live in the present moment 🙂
Sridhenu is a dream project blessed by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji with the following objectives.

  • To bring like-minded people together who can contribute towards preservation of indigenous breed of Indian (Desi) cows.
  • To construct a model Sri Sri Gaushala where people can visit, stay with the villagers, dine with them, and feel a connection with their roots. A home away from home, back to the roots.
  • To connect farmers across different villages and educate them regarding Organic Farming methods.In first five years, we wish to have:
  1. 20,000 Indian (Desi) cows.
  2. Construct / Adopt more than 50 Sri Sri Gaushalas
  3. Initiate meditation to 25,000 people.
  4. Plant 1,00,000+ plants.
  5. Involving Rural youth in Social Service activities.

Krishna: According to you, what is the significance of Yoga, Spirituality and Meditation?Vishnu: One of my professors used to tell, “We are not human beings looking for spiritual experiences, we are spiritual beings having human experiences”. Yoga is a need, not a luxury any more. Like brushing is for dental hygiene, Yoga and meditation are for physical and mental hygiene. Yoga is “Inner peace and skills in action and the real ‘Art’ of Living”. Meditation is “Me dating Myself”. Spirituality is “the spirit of (Self) enquiry”.

Vishnu Prakash and his team of youth leaders leading a voter awareness campaign in Hyderabad
Vishnu Prakash and his team of youth leaders leading a “Vote for a better India” campaign in Hyderabad. PC: Kiranmai Kalla

Krishna: What do you think is the role of media (print, online, TV, Cinema, radio) in creating a better world?
Vishnu: Positive media can bring about a Divine society. And media’s role is very pivotal. I heartily congratulate portal.idiya.co to be the agent of change. The seeds will sprout in coming days by bringing like-minded people through your platform!

Krishna: What support do you need from the vibrant iDiya Community of global leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and change makers for SriDhenu?
Vishnu: Create awareness about A2 vs A1 milk by sharing this scientific information from sridhenu.org website on various social media platforms. You can donate for our corpus funds. It helps you physically if you spend time with cows. You are welcome spend 2 to 7 days with the cows in our Gaushalas. You can reach out to us through email – sridhenu (at) gmail (dot) com, Twitter and Facebook .

Editor’s note: You can also follow Vishnu Prakash’s updates on his iDiya profile – portal.idiya.co/vishnu  or follow his writings on his personal blog blog vishnuportal.idiya.co .

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