The Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), attended Sadhguru’s event at IIT Delhi last year and expressed his wish to have Sadhguru come and speak to JNU’s students. So, when Youth AND Truth was announced, the VC was thrilled to organize an event at JNU and rescheduled the Nehru Memorial Day Lecture by a month to accommodate an event with Sadhguru.

#1 When Protestors Became Audience Members at JNU

A month before the event, a team of volunteers went to the campus almost daily to engage and interact with students. They caught up with students at hostels, labs, tea shops and dhabas. The volunteers found that most students and teachers welcomed the idea of interacting with Sadhguru.

However, a day before the event, volunteers were informed that some students would wear black, hold black flags, and might disrupt the event, or even gherao (picket by surrounding) Sadhguru. When Sadhguru heard about the situation, he replied, “It will be interesting to be gheraoed just after receiving the award from the President.”

At 4 PM, Sadhguru was at Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for Isha Outreach. Sadhguru left almost immediately after the award ceremony, to make it to the JNU event. He quickly changed into a casual dress, got into the car and drove himself through Delhi’s crazy traffic to make it to JNU.

When he reached JNU, no one really noticed the car because Sadhguru was not in the usual attire they expected, and he drove in without even a pilot car to lead the way. He casually drove into the parking lot, where he was received by the Vice Chancellor and other teachers who led him to the hall through a throng of thrilled students. 

Mohit Chauhan in concert at Jawaharlal Nehru University | Youth and Truth: The Inside Scoop! – Part 1

 

Right after Mohit Chauhan’s music performance finished, Sadhguru hopped onto the stage. The students were totally excited to see him. However, at that moment a few students in black came in and stood with their backs to the stage in protest. They started to tell the other students, “Don’t laugh, don’t encourage this event,” among other things. But the other students ignored them and continued to clap and participate in the session.

It was funny and also inspiring to see that just 10 minutes into the session, those same students in black took some seats and were soon engrossed listening to Sadhguru!

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 #2 The Magic of Youth AND Truth

A Youth and Truth volunteer shared, “I have accompanied Sadhguru in close proximity to many events, including top leadership events. During such sessions, either I am busy with some last-minute organizing or simply drinking in Sadhguru’s words. For this event, I was sitting on the ground between the first row and the dais – almost in front of the VC. Then something within me took over, and I felt a surge of exuberance within me.

Totally unconscious of my surroundings, I was clapping, laughing, almost jumping off my place every now and then like a teen on fire. Later, after the event, Sadhguru asked me, ‘How was the event for you?’ This question was odd because I have been with him for so many events, and he had never asked this question before. ‘It was like I was hearing you for the first time Sadhguru,’ I shared my feelings with him in gratitude.” 

#3 “Sadhguru… A New Friend of Youth”

Jawaharlal Nehru students expression | Youth and Truth: The Inside Scoop! – Part 1

 

Anjali Yogi, one of the panellists at JNU shared, "I used to think only people with midlife crisis listen to Sadhguru, but I have seen this emergent phenomenon in which students are going gaga over Sadhguru. I think the reason for this is that Sadhguru answers the questions that even their parents can’t answer. So, the questions which youth are supposed to ask their friends, they are asking Sadhguru. Sadhguru has become a new friend of youth."

#4 "He is Like Buddha to Us!"

Neha, a PhD student at JNU shared her experience of the event. “It was overwhelming. I never thought I could connect with a person over 60 with so much enthusiasm. Our grandparents can tell you tales but they can’t connect with your life and give you answers. I don’t think we have got a youth icon as such in India. There may be pop stars, but they don’t answer our questions, they have their own life. 

Life strikes us, so we have these questions what should we do, when should we do, how should we do? So, youth is connecting with Sadhguru because we want somebody who can answer all this. He is like Buddha to us now, who we can ask questions.”

#5 JNU Event Coverage in the Media 

Here are the articles which were featured in India's major news sites about JNU event.

NDTV: Students Should Debate On Issues, Not Take Sides: Sadhguru At JNU

FIRSTPOST: 'Students should debate on issues but not take sides,' says spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev during lecture at JNU 

NEWS18: 'Debate But Don't Take Sides': Sadhguru Discourages Student Politics at JNU Event

THE WEEK: Students should debate on issues but not take sides Sadhguru

Business Standard: Students should debate on issues but not take sides: Sadhguru

Jagran Josh: Sadhguru interacts with students of JNU, asks them to stay away from taking sides

The Asian Age: JNU campus is most peaceful, says VC Jagdesh Kumar

Devdiscourse: Sadhguru delivers lecture at JNU campus

Catch News: JNU campus is most peaceful: VC Jagdesh Kumar

Editor’s Note: Here are a few more scoops and surprises from events at other colleges.

Watch the Youth and Truth #UnplugWithSadhguru playlist, a comprehensive compilation of Sadhguru’s talks and interactions with the youth and students of India. New videos will be added to this playlist as more videos are released from the Youth and Truth events, so remember to visit this playlist again!