New Delhi, May 06: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the landmark celebrations marking 45 years of The Art of Living and the 70th birthday of its founder, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on 10 May 2026, at The Art of Living International Center, Bengaluru.

The event, which draws participants from every walk of life – Government Leaders and civil servants, farmers and engineers, homemakers and CEOs, students and senior citizens, and thousands of international delegates is a unique gathering in celebration of Gurudev’s leadership and the organisation’s reach.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the celebrations and will also inaugurate the newly constructed Dhyan Mandir, a dedicated meditation hall, along with landmark nation-wide service initiatives including year-long projects in mental well-being, rural development, nature conservation and social transformation.

A global meditation for World Peace, led by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and open to all, will be held on 13 May 2026 and live-streamed worldwide. 

Founded in 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, The Art of Living has grown into a global, volunteer-driven humanitarian and educational organisation present in 182 countries, touching over a billion lives through transformative breathing techniques such as Sudarshan Kriya and pioneering grassroots initiatives in well-being and sustainable development. The other main events which will be held as part of month long celebrations include: 

• Global Leadership Dialogues & Summits on ethics in governance, business, media, education, art & culture and civil society. 

• Cultural festivals showcasing music, dance and artistic expressions from across the diverse cultures of the 182 countries where The Art of Living is present. 

• Recognition ceremonies honouring Unsung Everyday Heroes in over 450 districts across India.
• Policy and thematic roundtables on more humane, sustainable approaches to systems and institutions across industries and public services. 

• A policy roundtable on Prisoner Welfare and Policy Reforms on May 25–26, highlighting best practices and the impact of The Art of Living Program for Prison Inmates.

• BIMSTEC Youth Leadership Exchange, held in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, brought together youth leaders from all seven BIMSTEC countries for a focused leadership immersion at The Art of Living International Center. 

As India asserts itself on the global stage, events of this nature carry significance beyond ceremony. The Art of Living has long served as a carrier of India’s soft power translating ancient wisdom into lived experience for millions who may have had no prior connection to Indian culture or philosophy. 

In this sense, the Art of Living’s 45-year journey is inseparable from the story of India’s growing influence and confidence in the world.

Kolkata, May 06: West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government in the state will be held on May 9.

Bhattacharya told reporters that the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Brigade Parade Ground in central Kolkata from 10 am.

“The new BJP government will take oath on May 9 at 10 am,” he said.

The BJP secured a landslide victory in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress in the state.

Chandigarh, May 6: Two back-to back explosions near security establishments shook Punjab on Tuesday night, triggering panic and drawing condemnation from opposition parties which called them efforts to “destabilise” the state.

The first explosion happened around 8 pm in Jalandhar outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force’s Punjab Frontier, while the second blast occurred at around 11 pm in near the army cantonment in Amritsar. No injuries have been reported, police said.

An investigation into both the incidents is underway.

Amritsar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Mir Qasim stated that police received reports of a loud sound at around 11 pm on a road in Khasa. “Our teams arrived on the scene immediately,” he said.

Preliminary inspections indicated that someone had thrown an explosive device towards the boundary wall, leading to the explosion, according to the SSP.

Police mentioned that a piece of a tin sheet covering the boundary wall had fallen as a result of the blast.

Following the explosion, a team of forensic and bomb disposal squad visited the site to collect samples.

Amritsar Rural Superintendent of Police Aditya S Warrier, who also visited the scene, confirmed that further investigations are ongoing. Police added that a team of army officials also assessed the situation, after which the area was cordoned off.

CCTV footage from the vicinity shows the explosion occurring at night. A local villager reported that his family was awakened by the loud sound and came outside their home to see what had happened.

CCTV footage captured the explosion, which resulted in a cloud of smoke. An unidentified man was seen running for cover following the blast.

The blast ripped apart a scooter, damaged a traffic signal pole and windowpanes of a nearby shop. Locals recounted that the scooter, which was parked outside the BSF headquarters, Punjab Frontier, caught fire shortly after a loud sound. It belonged to Gurpreet Singh, who regularly delivers parcels in the area.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday night, one of Gurpreet’s relatives said that the scooter caught fire as he was approaching it. He immediately called his father and informed him about the incident.

Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed to reporters late Tuesday that an Activa scooter parked near the gate caught fire suddenly. She stated that Gurpreet is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud sound following the explosion.

Opposition parties have condemned the AAP government over the blasts.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, over the blasts.

“Three blasts in 10 days, two in a single day, May 5: Jalandhar outside BSF headquarters and Sri Amritsar Sahib Army area, April 27: Rajpura rail track. Continued intelligence failures and the collapse of law and order are a matter of grave concern. Chief Minister @BhagwantMann, who is also the state Home Minister, is busy with mimicry and cheap politics. He has forfeited the right to remain in office,” Badal said in a post on X.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also slammed the Mann government.

“Back-to-back blasts have shaken Punjab. Yesterday in Jalandhar, and now near Khasa Camp in Amritsar, this is deeply alarming. Who is trying to destabilise our state? Why has the Punjab Government failed to prevent such incidents? What is the Government of India doing? Repeated lapses point to a serious breakdown of intelligence and security. Punjab’s peace cannot be compromised. We demand accountability and immediate action,” Warring said in a post on X.

On April 27, an explosion occurred at a freight corridor rail track in Shambhu in Patiala. Police arrested four members of a pro-Khalistan terror module, backed by Pakistan’s ISI, for the blast.