Hyderabad: An electric performance by LV Revanth, winner of season 9 of Indian Idol in 2017, set the stage for what turned out to be a dynamite session of Youth and Truth at Hyderabad’s National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR).
Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation was at the premier law university for the seventh session of the Youth and Truth series. After a high-energy performance by Revanth and his band, Sadhguru was given a roaring standing ovation as he took the stage. Though the session started with an innocuous question on first impressions, it soon turned volatile as students debated hotly with Sadhguru on every possible topic from standing for the national anthem to women’s rights, article 377, art versus standing for the national anthem was most popular issue among the students as some students questioned why their allegiance to the nation should be displayed in a particular way. “Without investing thought and emotion, there is no nation. You have to build a nation in people’s minds and hearts,” said Sadhguru adding that an anthem was only a symbol for the nation and that it was unfortunate that people are “debating whether to stand up for 52 seconds.”
Referring to soldiers on the border, Sadhguru said, “There are men standing there, willing to die for the nation. Please tell them we don’t care a damn about the nation, please come back,” said Sadhguru to thunderous applause from the audience.
Sadhguru also answered questions on the moral dilemma of defending a criminal, the caste system, legalizing marijuana, and the declining interest among citizens in exercising their franchise. Frequently interrupted with applause as well as dissent, Sadhguru refused to pass controversial questions and offered to “spend the day with you” if the audience wanted more time for questions.
After the Hyderabad session, Sadhguru will travel to Mumbai, Varnasi, New Delhi, Shillong and Ahmedabad visiting the cities’ popular colleges and answering young people’s questions. The month-long traveling series will end on 29 September at Ahmedabad though its online version will continue to run for years to come.
Youth and Truth, a campaign to empower India’s youth, is a platform for the youth of the nation to directly connect with Sadhguru. Offering no advice, morals, philosophies or teachings, Youth and Truth will give young people access to Sadhguru’s razor-sharp intellect which cuts to the core of every question and helps the questioner get to the truth about the issue. In order to spend time with the youth online and offline, Sadhguru will travel to college campuses around India including IITs, IIMs and JNU among others and will also answer questions from young people, celebrities, and youth icons through social media.
Sadhguru has often said that with the country’s demographic advantage, India can become one of the most dynamic nations if its youth are skilled, balanced and competent. Youth and Truth is an attempt to equip future citizens with clarity to help them make life choices that will allow them to explore their full potential joyfully. (NSS)
