Sharath Mekala among honorees at Human Values event
Mona Shah Joshi (2nd from left), Director Art of Living Atlanta, stands with the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Human Values Awardees and finalists: Rev. C. T. Vivian; Sharath Mekala, President of Village Vitals; Kate Atwood, Founder Kate's Club; Kevin Selwin, Co-Author "The Power of Half"; Marjorie Perry, Founder of “Team Marj@Large"; Andrew Parks, President, Engineers Without Borders Atlanta. (Photo: K.R. Sundararaghavan)
The Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) celebrated two local heroes, Kate Atwood and Sharath Mekala, at its Human Values Ceremony on June 12, 2011 at the Georgia Tech Student Center Theatre. Ms. Atwood, Founder and President of Kate’s Club, was honored for her work in providing social and emotional support to youth who had lost a parent or a sibling. Mr. Mekala, President of Village Vitals, was honored for his entrepreneurial work benefiting local Atlanta communities by improving public safety, education, advocacy and public awareness.
Civil Rights legend Reverend C. T. Vivian was honored for his lifetime of service. His participation in the Freedom Rides through the segregationist South was lauded as this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride.
Hosted by the YESPlus Club at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the event was attended by 145 people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and faiths. The event was a celebration of the human spirit with wisdom, music and meditation, highlighting the Art of Living Foundation’s initiative to create a “Violence Free, Stress Free America” through education and humanitarian service.
Reflecting on the evening, Mr. Mekala said, “My life would not be the same, if it were not for the influence and teachings of Art of Living. The energy of the event and its participants showed a universal love for each other, and support. I felt the support, and felt the family tree of compassion.”
The Human Values event also introduced “Meditation on my Mind,” a statewide stress reduction campaign that will bring meditation programs to corporate offices, educational institutions and other groups in Atlanta.
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