Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was among the 10 Padma Vibhushan awardees whose names the government announced on Monday.
The 'Art of Living' founder will be conferred the Padma Vibhushan - the country's second highest civilian award - for his contribution to spiritualism on Republic Day on January 26.
Born in 1956 in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu, Ravi Shankar holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bangalore University.
The Art of Living, a non-governmental organization, was founded by Ravi Shankar in 1981. It operates in 152 countries with the aim to relieve individual stress, societal problems and violence.
In 1997, the spiritual leader established Geneva-based charity, the International Association for Human Values, which engages in relief work and rural development and aims to foster shared global values.
Superstar Rajinikanth, Reliance founder late Dhirubhai Ambani, media baron Ramoji Rao, former Jammu and Kashmir governor Jagmohan, former Defence Research and Development Organisaion chief V.K. Aatre, cancer specialist Dr V. Shanta, Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Yamini Krishnamurthi, classical vocalist Girija Devi and Indian-American economist Avinash Dixit have also been named for Padma Vibhushan awards.
