Compassion, Cooperation and Collective Awakening Redefined

The “Know Your Mission” sessions inspired participants to discover their higher purpose — to transform their role in society into an act of service.

Commander Dr B. G. Jayaram, Director of the Centre for Training and Leadership Development at the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions, delivered a deeply motivational address. With over 45 years of experience — from serving in the Indian Navy to leading strategic initiatives at Infosys — he shared lessons on building a life of competence, character, and commitment. He emphasised that leadership gains meaning only when rooted in compassion and selflessness.

Later, Dr Manoj Srinivas, an esteemed dermatologist and faculty member at the Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, spoke about the union of science and service. He highlighted how every medical act becomes divine when driven by empathy, reinforcing that “to heal the body, one must first touch the soul.”

The festival has been graced by many distinguished spiritual leaders, educators, and global change-makers, each echoing the essence of unity and compassion through their presence and words.

• Ven Dr Thich Hoang Hoa (Vietnam/USA) – A respected Buddhist monk and teacher, Dr Hoang Hoa inspired the audience with his reflections on mindfulness and compassion as universal paths to peace.
• Bishop Lennart Koskinen (Sweden) – A senior spiritual leader of the Lutheran Church, Bishop Koskinen shared his motto, “In Mundo Non Ex Mundo” — “Be in the world, but not of the world.” His words encouraged living with love and inner freedom amidst worldly complexities.
• Fr Víctor Andrés Godoy Martínez (Chile) – A deeply compassionate voice from South America, Fr. Martínez reminded everyone that “true peace begins when we live with compassion for all.”
• Professor H. S. Bhatia (India) – Once a scientist with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Prof. Bhatia beautifully blended science and spirituality, reminding us that harmony and service are the truest forms of intelligence.
• Professor Pang Lawrence Wang Kee (Hong Kong) – A renowned philosopher and educator, Prof. Wang Kee’s message drew from Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions, encouraging ethical leadership grounded in humility and love.
• Professor Dossay Kenzhetayev (Kazakhstan) – A respected theologian and Turkologist, he emphasised education as the bridge to peace and understanding across civilisations.

Among India’s eminent dignitaries were:

• Dr Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Industries, and Commerce, Government of Telangana, commended Sadguru’s vision of integrating education, nutrition, and healthcare as birthrights for every child.
• Shri Adluri Laxman Kumar, Minister for SC, ST, and Minority Welfare, lauded the mission’s inclusive approach to empowerment and equal opportunity.
• Mr Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao, Member of Parliament, Medak, praised the festival’s message of global harmony through love and service.

Their collective presence and reflections highlighted the growing resonance of spiritual and humanitarian collaboration worldwide.

The CSR Circle of Honour recognised organisations that have seamlessly woven social responsibility into their corporate mission, demonstrating that compassion and commerce can coexist.

• RENK Gears Pvt. Ltd. was honoured for its steadfast support of the Each One Educate One initiative, which sponsors education for underprivileged children.
• Scikraft Education and Engineering Design Pvt. Ltd. received recognition for its pioneering efforts in transforming science learning through innovation and practical engagement.
• BNB Security and Automation Solutions was awarded for advancing sustainable infrastructure and technology for social welfare.
• Grant Thornton Indus Pvt. Ltd. was celebrated for promoting educational advancement and mentoring youth leaders.
• Oracle Corporation was acknowledged for its global impact in community service, environmental sustainability, and volunteering.
• SG Corporates was felicitated for partnering with the Annapoorna Morning Nutrition Program, ensuring daily nourishment for thousands of children in Karnataka.

These honours symbolised the festival’s vision of inspiring businesses to serve as catalysts of positive change in society.

The One World One Family Humanitarian Award celebrated extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to uplifting humanity across continents:

• Mr Yves Marre (France) – Founder of Friendship Bangladesh, he transformed a river barge into a floating hospital that today serves millions along the Brahmaputra. His innovation turned compassion into healthcare for the remotest communities.
• Mr Patricio Osvaldo Veas Moreno (Chile) – Founder of ValpoCree Foundation, he has tirelessly worked to restore dignity to the homeless and marginalised, turning despair into hope through education and opportunity.
• Professor Jon-Håkon Schultz (Norway) – A psychologist and humanitarian, he developed the Better Learning Programme for children affected by war, helping them rediscover confidence and joy through education.
• Ms Elli Fu Nga-Nei (Hong Kong) – Founder of J Life Foundation, her journey from hardship to humanitarianism is a powerful story of transformation. Through her foundation, she feeds, educates, and empowers low-income families daily.
• Ms Aruzhan Sain (Kazakhstan) – Founder of the Mercy Voluntary Society (DOM Foundation), she has dedicated her life to protecting and educating children, building a compassionate network of volunteers that has touched thousands of lives.

Their stories illuminated the stage, proving that service is the most beautiful form of prayer and that love in action can truly heal the world.

The festival also recognised leaders who have embodied excellence in thought and action:

• Dr Anand Ranganathan, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University, was honoured for his groundbreaking biomedical research and his advocacy for integrity in science and society.
• Mr Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson of the National Stock Exchange and the first Chairperson of IFSCA, was recognised for his visionary leadership and governance reforms that have strengthened India’s financial ecosystem.

Both awardees reflect the spirit of enlightened leadership — where intellect meets compassion and success serves humanity.

The evenings of the festival came alive with mesmerising cultural performances that transcended geographical and linguistic boundaries, uniting the world through art, rhythm, and soul.

From France, the Montaigne Modern Orchestra enthralled the audience with a symphonic blend of classical compositions and traditional folk melodies. Their performance, both elegant and evocative, symbolised harmony through discipline and artistic unity.

The Chilean band Tito Gutiérrez Five brought the warmth of South America to the stage, merging the rhythms of the Andes with jazz and contemporary flair. Instruments like the charango, quena, and bombo echoed across the auditorium, drawing thunderous applause as they conveyed the joy of cultural fusion.

A special Nordic evening featured performers from Norway and Sweden, who presented hauntingly beautiful folk melodies on traditional instruments such as the Hardanger fiddle and Nyckelharpa. Their music, rich with simplicity and serenity, reflected the peaceful spirit of the Nordic lands — a musical prayer for unity and balance.

The evening dedicated to Hong Kong and China witnessed a stunning presentation by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. The ensemble of musicians performed traditional Chinese pieces using the guzheng, pipa, erhu, and dizi. The finale — an Indo-Chinese musical fusion — brought together Indian tabla and Chinese string instruments in a breathtaking harmony that symbolised East meeting East in a song of universal brotherhood.

The cultural programme comprising both the traditional music and dance of Kazakhstan, features the ASU ethno-folk music group, from the fiery rhythms of Küy Tartys, Aday, and Balbyrauyn to the lyrical beauty of Saryarka and Koroghly. The expressive sounds of the dombra and kobyz carry the timeless voice of the Great Steppe.

Adding an Indian touch, students of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence performed the Lion Dance, one of the most vibrant and auspicious traditions in Chinese culture.

As Sadguru beautifully said,

“The wound is where the light finds its way in. Those who have known suffering become more sensitised to the suffering of others.”

Through music and art, that truth came alive — that pain, when transformed into compassion, becomes the most powerful force of harmony.

The One World One Family World Cultural Festival 2025 continues to shine as a beacon of unity, wisdom, and universal love. Through the presence of global leaders, the honouring of changemakers, and the soul-stirring performances that transcend borders, it reminds humanity of its shared essence — one heart, one soul, one family.

As Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai often reminds,

“When love becomes service and service becomes life, the world becomes one family.”

The festival thus stands not merely as a celebration but as a movement — a movement towards a new world guided by compassion, cooperation, and collective awakening