Category: News

News #16: Czech Disciples of Sri Chinmoy Celebrate International Day of Happiness with 27,000 Special Bookmarks

Posted on by Yatkara

To honor the U.N. International Day of Happiness, Sri Chinmoy’s disciples in the Czech Republic have printed 27,000 special-edition bookmarks featuring his uplifting poems on happiness! These beautifully designed bookmarks are being shared far and wide to inspire people.  

Here’s how they’re reaching the world:

  • 16,500 bookmarks are being distributed at well-known Czech bookstores, given to customers at checkout.  
  • 6,000 bookmarks are being shared through businesses such as Madal Bal, Everest Ayurveda, Zdravy den, Pranaya, and Antarik.  
  • The remaining bookmarks are finding their way to people at book fairs, meditation classes, and street events—spreading joy everywhere!  

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people appreciating these small yet powerful reminders of happiness. What a beautiful way to share inspiration! 

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

News #13. Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award Presented to Roberta Flack

Posted on by Yatkara

Roberta Flack has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy that transcends music. A Grammy-winning artist and spiritual seeker, she was known in the Sri Chinmoy community as Addwitiya, meaning “matchless” or “second to none.” With a voice that defied genres, she infused songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with rare depth and soul, making them truly timeless.

February 16, 2025 – In recognition of her profound contributions to music and her ability to inspire millions, Flack was honored with the Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award on her 88th birthday in a special ceremony at her New York residence. This prestigious award celebrates those who illuminate the human spirit through their work, and Flack’s lifelong dedication to uplifting humanity through song made her a most deserving recipient.

A classically trained musician, she was the first artist to win back-to-back Grammys for Record of the Year, using her extraordinary talent to express deeply felt messages that continue to resonate across generations. Her music invited listeners to explore their inner worlds while embracing life’s beauty. Reflecting on her journey, she once shared, “I want to keep my feet on the ground and let my spirit soar.” This powerful sentiment was later set to music by Sri Chinmoy, the spiritual leader, composer, and humanitarian after whom the award is named.

The award, directed by Ranjana Ghose, has previously honored luminaries such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Mikhail Gorbachev, and composer Philip Glass. Its crystal design bears an etching of Sri Chinmoy’s world-harmony painting, Unity, adorned with his signature peace-bird drawings—symbols of the soul’s boundless journey. Alongside the award, Flack was presented with a certificate featuring a poem by Sri Chinmoy, capturing the essence of her artistic vision and life’s work:

God never encouraged me
To learn the world-denial-song.
On the contrary,
He inspired, encouraged
And blessed me
To sing the world-acceptance-song
And dance the world-transformation-dance.
– Sri Chinmoy

The ceremony also included a heartfelt birthday celebration for Roberta Flack, to whom the community extended warm wishes. A special slideshow, created by Vyakulata and Gesiane, beautifully highlighted the occasion.

With this recognition, Roberta Flack joins a distinguished list of honorees whose creativity and dedication continue to inspire and uplift the world. Her music remains a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the power of song to unite hearts and transcend boundaries.

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

News #12: Celebration at Ngurah Rai International Airport

Posted on by Yatkara

On February 6, 2025, a special event took place at the Sri Chinmoy Peace Airport Garden in Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali, celebrating the Oneness of Humanity. The gathering was filled with warmth and unity, beginning with heartfelt introductions, followed by a moving rendition of the national anthem. The Bina Vocalia Bali Children’s Choir then graced the audience with three beautiful songs composed by Sri Chinmoy.

The event featured inspiring speeches from key representatives of Sri Chinmoy Centres International and Ngurah Rai International Airport, as well as a touching presentation on the history of the Sri Chinmoy Peace Airport dedication.

Musical performances from international artists, showcasing compositions by Sri Chinmoy, added to the event’s beauty. The event also honored Bapak Wehyudi and Bapak Syaugi with Torch-Bearer Awards for their contributions to humanity. The celebration concluded with the Sri Chinmoy Choir singing the heartfelt ‘Thank You’ song, leaving everyone with a sense of peace and gratitude.

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

News #11: Self-Transcendence Lecture Series Inspires Runners and Community

Posted on by Yatkara

On January 31, a captivating Self-Transcendence lecture was held in Oradea, Romania, led by Pushkar, attracting around 30 attendees, mainly runners. The session was well-received and ended with a calming 2-minute meditation and breathing exercise, leaving participants with a profound sense of peace.

The following Saturday morning, the momentum continued as a group of runners, including Adrian Papuc (2023 3100 Mile Race participant), gathered for a 2-mile run in a local park, starting with a meditation and recitation of one of Sri Chinmoy’s running poems.

For more information about sports events, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #10: Arma Museum hosts art reception honoring Sri Chinmoy in Ubud

Posted on by Yatkara

On January 30, the Arma Museum in Ubud, Bali, held an elegant reception celebrating the art of Sri Chinmoy. Co-hosted by museum founder Mr. Agung Rai and Ranjana Ghose, the event honored Sri Chinmoy’s artistic legacy. A special highlight was the presentation of the Sri Chinmoy Culture-Light Award to renowned Balinese artist and scholar, Professor I Wayan Dibia, in recognition of his cultural contributions.

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #9: Jharna-Kala Art Exhibition in Oradea

Posted on by Yatkara

Oradea, Romania – A Jharna-Kala art exhibition at the historic Oradea Heritage building delighted thousands of visitors over the holiday season, thanks to an unexpected extension. Originally scheduled to conclude earlier, the exhibition’s run was extended through Christmas and will officially end on December 29th, allowing even more people to experience the vibrant display.

The extension came at the request of the building’s management, who received positive feedback from the public and saw an opportunity to continue to share Sri Chinmoy’s divine atmosphere through the holidays.

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #8: World Meditation Day at the Indian Embassy, Nepal

Posted on by Yatkara

The Embassy of India in Nepal, in collaboration with the Sri Chinmoy Centre, Kathmandu, organized a special meditation program at the Embassy premises to commemorate the inaugural World Meditation Day on December 21.

The event brought together members of the Sri Chinmoy Centre and Embassy officials to offer a program for the public to learn and practice meditation, while also emphasizing mental well-being and the promotion of global harmony. The workshop was conducted by Krishna, a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, and saw an impressive turnout of around 100 participants. During the program, Vijay soulfully played an instrument called the Bharat Muni Veena, commonly known as the Sarod.

Speaking about the program, officials highlighted the importance of meditation in fostering inner peace and its role in enhancing cross-cultural unity. The event aimed to inspire individuals to incorporate meditation into their daily lives for personal growth and collective harmony.

This initiative marks a significant step in promoting the universal values of peace and harmony in the region.

To find out more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit the official website: www.srichinmoy.org

News #7: Over 90 Participants Joined 2-Mile Race in Freezing Weather

Posted on by Yatkara

On a brisk -12°C (10.4°F) Sunday in Chelyabinsk, Russia, 76 enthusiastic runners, some even in costume, braved the cold to line up for the challenging 2-mile Sri Chinmoy run, highlighting the city’s growing passion for fitness and outdoor activities.

Alongside the main race, 20 children took part in a shorter run designed to introduce young athletes to the joy of running. Their excitement and energy added a family-friendly vibe to the event, earning cheers from both spectators and fellow runners.

For more information about races, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyraces.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #6: Jharna-Kala Art exhibit opens in Oradea

Posted on by Yatkara

Art enthusiasts and peace lovers have a reason to celebrate as the Sri Chinmoy Jharna-Kala art exhibition opened its doors in Romania on November 19th. The exhibition, which will run for three weeks, is hosted in the iconic Madách Passage of the Bazar Building in Oradea, just a few meters from the popular Madal Café, which is also located in the same building.

The Madách Passage is a vibrant, open gallery space administrated by Oradea Heritage, an organization known for warmly welcoming a variety of cultural and artistic events. Open throughout the day, the passage serves as a bustling corridor connecting two streets, offering visitors a unique chance to experience art as part of their daily routine.

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.

News #5: Sri Chinmoy Jharna-Kala Day in Ottawa

Posted on by Yatkara

Photo on the left: Sri Chinmoy painting his first artwork.
Photo on the right: Ranjana and Pratyaya with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe holding the Proclamation.

Fifty years ago, Sri Chinmoy created his first artwork in the West, marking the beginning of Jharna-Kala (‘Fountain-Art’), in Room 233 at the Sheraton El Mirador Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. For the first time, he signed his artwork with his initials C.K.G. (Chinmoy Kumar Ghose), the monogram he would use throughout his artistic career.

Text of the Proclamation:

SRI CHINMOY JHARNA-KALA DAY
November 19th, 2024

WHEREAS, the City of Ottawa celebrates the 50th anniversary of global peace ambassador Sri Chinmoy’s Jharna-Kala Art, dedicated to world peace and harmony; and

WHEREAS, renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Chinmoy created his first painting while visiting Ottawa on November 19, 1974, and went on to complete over 200,000 paintings and 16 million peace-bird drawings, which have been exhibited in prestigious galleries worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Sri Chinmoy dedicated his life to serving humanity through bi-weekly Peace Meditations at the United Nations, the global Peace Run torch relay, 700 Peace Concerts, 1,500 books of inspirational writings, and Jharna-Kala paintings for world peace; and

WHEREAS, Sri Chinmoy has inspired and encouraged people throughout the world to find peace and happiness in their own lives;

THEREFORE, I, Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, do hereby proclaim November 19th, 2024, Sri Chinmoy Jharna-Kala Day in Ottawa.

For more information about Sri Chinmoy Art, visit the official website: www.srichinmoyart.org.
To learn more about Sri Chinmoy, please visit: www.srichinmoy.org.