Global humanitarian and spiritual leader, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has been conferred with an honorary doctorate for his contribution to the development of inter-cultural friendship between India and Russia. The 63-year-old has received the degreefrom the Ural Federal University, one of Russia’s largest institutions of higher learning named after the first President of Russia, BN Yeltsin.

Gurudev in his address emphasized on the need for an education that is inclusive and humane. “It is education that is needed in every corner of this world for a happy peaceful society,” Gurudev said, “Whether it is technology, arts or sciences or humanities, it is the universities that give us a universal vision, a vision of what life is, how one should conduct one’s life. We have technology to connect lives, but we need education that also connects the hearts, where human values are given importance to.”

Victor Koksharov, Rector of the Ural Federal University appreciated that a volunteer run organization like The Art of Living (founded by Gurudev) could run 618 schools catering to 80,000 children in providing free education.

Gurudev also encouraged students to incorporate yoga, deep breathing techniques and meditation in their daily routines to lead stress free lives.

Furthering the cause of a positive exchange of knowledge and skills training between the two institutions, Gurudev signed an MOU between with the Ural Federal University represented by Victor Koksharov, Rector of the university and Sri Sri University in Orissa, envisioned by Gurudev, India’s first alcohol, drugs and smoke free campus.