Permanent Mission of India
New York
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World Meditation Day

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative

19 December 2025

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, and Dear Friends,

I am pleased to welcome you all as we celebrate the 2^nd World Meditation Day. We confront challenges of unprecedented complexity today - climate crisis, social polarization, and technological disruption, combined with the uncertainties of economic crises and rising conflicts. We at the UN are most acutely aware of the stress that this brings to bear at the individual, social and global level. Therefore, India was active member of the coregroup that championed the resolution on World Meditation Day at the UN. On 6 December 2024, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution proclaiming 21 December to be the World Meditation Day. The adoption of this resolution marks a significant milestone in acknowledging that meditation transcends cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries, offering a universal language of inner transformation.

For India, this recognition holds special significance. Meditation traces its roots back over 5,000 years to ancient India, where Patanjali's Yoga Sutra introduced the concept of 'dhyana' - a state of pure consciousness where the mind's relentless chattering subsides, giving way to clarity and calmness. India has always shared its heritage and wisdom with the world, and in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) - we continue to work for the betterment of people across the globe. This UN resolution affirms India's gift to humanity and its civilizational ethos of peace and harmony.

The universality of meditation lies in its fundamental simplicity. It is a practice that requires no specialized equipment, transcends linguistic barriers, and is accessible to individuals across all socioeconomic spectrums. At its core, meditation is aimed at self awareness, it offers a practical path to train the mind, to cut through the incessant stream of thoughts and to experience our inner self. In the 21st century, where information overload, chronic stress, and digital technology increasingly define human experience, meditation offers a radical alternative. It provides a methodology for recalibrating our mental and emotional systems, cultivating clarity, emotional intelligence, and deeper interconnectedness. Scientific research has validated meditation's capacity to reduce stress, improve physical and mental well-being, decrease depression and anxiety, and heal emotional trauma.

Meditation must not be seen solely as an individual exercise. Today's world faces severe strains economically, politically, and militarily. The issues we face are diverse yet interlinked. In this scenario, meditation becomes a potent tool for diplomacy, pushing us to focus with greater clarity. From corporate boardrooms to diplomatic negotiations, meditation is increasingly recognized as a fundamental skill that can help navigate complex human interactions.

Therefore, I am immensely happy to welcome the distinguished guests who will provide us deeper insights into their experience of meditation. I am pleased to have with us the Permanent Representatives of the core group – Andorra, Nepal and Sri Lanka and the Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico. I am previleged to welcome back Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar who will enlighten us on meditation and take us through a guided meditation practice. I am deeply honoured to welcome Dr. Robert Schneider, Professor of Integrative Medicine & Health and Director of the Institute for Prevention Research at Maharishi International University, Yogmata Keiko Aikawa from the Yogmata Foundation, BK Mohini Panjabi, Administrative and Spiritual Head, Brahmkumaris World Spiritual University, Mr. LP Bhanu Sharma, Jeevan Vigyan Foundation, Nepal, Dr. Lasantha Chandana Goonetilleke, Professor, Rutgers University and Dr. John Hagelin, Physicist & International President of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace who will share their thoughts and experiences on meditation from their perspective.

I look forward to the engaging conversation as we celebrate the 2^nd World Meditation Day.

Thank you.