Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai delivered a keynote address at the IOD London Global Convention 2023 at the House of Lords, UK Parliament, United Kingdom

19 October 2023

London, 19 October 2023: Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai delivered a keynote address at the IOD London Global Convention 2023 at the House of Lords, UK Parliament, United Kingdom this afternoon. The audience was an elite group from the government, accomplished individuals from the society and corporate leaders from various countries. Below is an excerpt from Sadguru’s address.

“In a world that is rapidly getting polarised, politically, socially, economically, and between the haves and have nots where the divide is growing by the day, there is a great need for partnership; to work together with everyone from all sections of society, or what I call – the tripartite model of Sarkar (Government), Samaj (Society at large which includes corporates), and Sanstha (Social service organisations which work at all times for the welfare of the last and least). It is important to find ways to find the right kind of partners in every aspect.

When India celebrated the G20 presidency, our Prime Minister borrowed the idea for G20’s motto from one of India’s ancient scriptures, which is thousands of years old.

The concept originates in the Vedic scripture Maha Upanishad (Chapter 6, Verse 72):

अयं बन्धुरयं नेति गणना लघुचेतसां उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकं

ayam bandhurayam neti ganana laghuchetasam udaracharitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam

Considering some as ours and some as others is the way of the narrow-minded; considering all as our own family is the way of the broad-minded.”

This is the message India brings to the table; apart from the youngest population in the world, a very progressive and decisive government, so much of advancements in technology and other spheres of social and economic development, to a conference like this, India brings the spiritual and cultural aspect which talks about the welfare of all.

‘Sarvé bhavantu sukhinah, Sarvé santu niramayah, Sarvé bhadrani pashyantu, Ma kashchid duḥkhabhag bhavét.’

This is the essence of culture of humanity which means, “May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May everyone see only good and auspiciousness everywhere, and may nobody have any sorrow.” This is the vision of ancient India which always worked for the welfare of all. Borrowing from these great ideas of universal healthcare, universal education, and universalisation of nutrition and other basic needs, our Organisation is working continuously towards that goal.

To put it in perspective, we have spent over 200 million USD in the last decade on completely free nutrition, education and healthcare, and other sociocare initiatives. How has this been possible, as we don’t run businesses? We are in the business of love, where we give love and receive much more love back; we never have a loss in our business at all, come what may. And in this business, I have support from several like-minded individuals, corporates and governments from across the world and this is why we are able to serve people in so many parts. A large part of supporting society is being done by many individuals; but, the right kind of partnerships can make the work more efficient.

Many are on the other side of the bridge and we have to extend support and help them cross the bridge. It’s up to us, those who were privileged to have education, shelter, a good job, good income and security, to help others in need. This is the way we can build better societies.

If we as partners in progress can do what we do best in our respective fields of governance, business and charity by supporting each other, we can achieve efficiency in delivery of needs at the rural doorsteps.”