More than 50% of girls fail to enroll in school; those that do are likely to drop out by the age of 12 and 53% of girls in the age group of 5-9 yrs are illiterate.

The cause of Shakti is inspired, driven and spearheaded by Anandmurti Gurumaa.

Her Holiness Anandmurti Gurumaa is a contemporary mystic working relentlessly towards the spiritual upliftment of mankind. Although Gurumaa herself does not bear allegiance to any one particular religion, she nevertheless expounds fluently on all major religions. Her insightful and thought-provoking discourses on Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Sufi scriptures are immensely beautiful, profound yet lucid and easy to understand. She has devised numerous techniques to aid meditation, written several books of immense wisdom and given remarkably in depth talks on mystics from different backgrounds; from Kabir, Guru Nanak, Baba Bulle Shah, Meerabai, and Sahajobai to Rumi…the list goes on! A brilliant musician, her mellifluous singing and chanting is totally enrapturing. It is amazing to see people of all ages and backgrounds - men, women and children, relate to her so readily. Furthermore, given her contemporary, modern outlook, she is especially endearing to the youth.

The main aspect of her teaching is aimed at the spiritual upliftment of the masses, guiding the seeker to take steps from the darkness of ignorance to the illumination of enlightenment and freedom from all bondages and miseries of life. Anandmurti Gurumaa is one of the rare Masters who is able to adeptly guide all true seekers no matter which spiritual path they want to pursue viz. gyana marga, bhakti marga or raja yoga.

Gurumaa is based at her ashram in Gannaur (Sonepat, Haryana). There are various camps held at the ashram wherein retreats and workshops are conducted on meditation and yoga. In addition, Gurumaa does a lot of globe trotting, holding discourses and meditation camps all over India and the world. The discourses, meditation camps and workshops are open to every earnest seeker irrespective of their religious or socio-economic background. It is with great compassion that she looks after all the disciples dwelling in the ashram and all seekers in general. It is indeed apt, that given the combination of her infinite higher wisdom and compassion that she is befittingly referred to as 'Guru-Maa'!

Education is the Key

In India, females have been always expected to live a life of sacrifice, forsaking their well being for the sake of others – in return, they are ‘honoured’ by being compared to a Devi, a goddess!

For ages, it is inculcated into a girl from her childhood, that she belongs to the weaker sex; she is made to feel feeble and helpless. Even in these so-called modern times, especially in rural India and in the poorer sections of the society, educating a girl is viewed to be far less important than a boy. It is drilled in to their mindsets that if they want ‘respect’ and ‘acceptance’ from the society, then they have to ensure that they conform to the societal norms and expectations. Education is such a crucial need of the hour which needs to be provided to each and every girl, irrespective of caste, creed, or colour. Education is the way to achieve financial, emotional and intellectual independence and for overall upliftment of life. Money may not be everything but is certainly essential not only for survival and maintaining a dignified life for oneself, but also to be in a position to support the family and others. Hence, girls should focus on getting themselves educated and acquire the necessary skills to earn a decent living.

More often than not, one has to fight for one’s rights – and there is certainly nothing wrong in doing so. All one needs to ensure is that the means used to fight the cause are just and appropriate.