Yoga has become a gateway for the world to know India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The event also marked the birth centenary of former RSS general secretary H.V. Sheshadri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates golden jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram in Bengaluru, attends event marking birth centenary of former RSS general secretary H.V. Sheshadri
Updated - November 13, 2026 02:10 pm IST - Bengaluru
Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases H.V. Sheshadri's 'Literature English Translations - Six Books', published by Sahitya Sangama, at S-VYASA University in Bengaluru on November 13, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at S-VYASA University in Bengaluru on November 13 to inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of Prashanti Kutiram and attend an event marking the birth centenary of former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary H.V. Sheshadri.
Prashanti Kutiram is the name of the campus housing the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA University) in Bengaluru.
Mr Modi laid the foundation stone for the Golden Jubilee Administrative Block of S-VYASA University and inaugurated the university’s Thiruvananthapuram off-campus via video conferencing. He released six books authored by H.V. Sheshadri, whose work in Kannada has been translated into Hindi and English, as part of his birth centenary celebrations.
Mr. Modi said he was getting the opportunity to experience the wonderful energy of yoga in Bengaluru. He said Karnataka had been a centre of yoga for centuries, and several yoga teachers and scholars had been born in the State and had enriched the tradition. He cited Kannada cinema legend Dr. Rajkumar as an example of personalities who had contributed to yoga alongside their work in the world of art
Actor Rajkumar performing yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited Kannada cinema legend Dr. Rajkumar as an example of personalities who had contributed to yoga alongside their work in the world of art | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The 50-year journey of S-VYASA Prashanti Kutiram was a story of service and dedication that every Indian should know. He said the way a simple yoga centre had grown into a large movement was an inspiration in itself.
He paid his respects to Mr. Sheshadri on his birth centenary, saying that he had devoted his entire life to the mission of vyakti nirman se rashtra nirman (nation-building through individual development). He said Mr. Sheshadri understood that, for the country to reach the heights of success, it needed ‘dedicated, capable and disciplined’ citizens.
He said Mr. Sheshadri devoted himself entirely to preparing such citizens. The goals he pursued while working in the RSS continue to inspire crores of swayamsevaks even today. Whenever people remembered Mr. Sheshadri, the first thing that came to mind was his simple nature. Despite his stature and vast experience, he was humble in his behaviour. He believed in staying behind and bringing others forward, bringing people together, and preparing them for the country. This was a major part of his life’s work.
He said Mr. Sheshadri often gave the example of a mother, who stays awake the whole night to care for her child, looks after the child, and works without any selfish motive. If the same feeling was extended to society, it could benefit society greatly. Mr. Sheshadri was devoted to serving society with the same selflessness as a mother.
Mr. Modi said he had received Mr. Sheshadri’s affection and guidance over the years, and that the memories of the time spent with him and his words remained precious to him.
Recalling one of his sayings, Mr. Modi said Mr. Sheshadri would often say that ‘if one gave to society with both hands, society returned it with lakhs of hands’. He said he had seen this come true repeatedly in his own life. While serving the people, he had always received their blessings, which is one of his biggest assets.
He said that when India was caught in the chains of slavery, lakhs of freedom-fighters were fighting for independence, while national spiritual leaders, such as Swami Vivekananda, were awakening India’s spiritual consciousness and showing the country’s youth the path of yoga.
He said the inspiration from sages, such as Swami Vivekananda, had led to the establishment of institutions such as Prashanti Kutiram. The institution had not only worked to take yoga to people but had also conducted research to test it against modern scientific standards.
Mr. Modi said that, in the last 12 years, India had presented its culture, identity, and knowledge and science before the world with full confidence. ‘As a result of this, the entire world now celebrates International Yoga Day’.
