Khurshed Batliwala (aka, Bawa) serves as the
Co-Founder of the Art of Living Youth, an international non-profit organization
dedicated to cultivating youth to become stewards of a better, more connected
and progressive planet.
A Meditating Mathematician!
Bawa says that mathematics needs logic but once you are in to the Master’s level of Maths, there are certain problems especially in subjects like number theory, graph theory where you require tremendous amount of intuition to arrive at a particular conclusion.
The course had helped him shine better in the subject. “Logic can take you to a place where normal people can get but to get to the higher level of mathematics you really require solid combination of logic and intuition, which is rare. That is why you don’t find too many brilliant mathematicians. Mathematics requires tremendous intuition along with logic and that comes through meditation. Yes, logic comes through studying Mathematics,” he smiles.
Headquartered in Bangalore, India, the Art of Living Youth has an inspired network of thousands active young members in 51 countries globally. The organization has 500+ members of faculty.
Khurshed, along with Dinesh is also the designer of the YES!+ series of workshop (Youth Empowerment & Skills) workshop, catering to youth aged between 18 and 30 years.
Through YES!+, Khurshed has used his gift of humor, intelligence, entrepreneurship to create a global platform through which young people connect to their talents and serve society.
In addition to engaging youth on issues ranging from HIV and AIDS, female feticide, climate change, anti-corruption, anti-terrorism, civic activism and environmental restoration, the organization provides consultative services to other non-profits, multilateral agencies, governments and businesses regarding issues pertaining to youth.
Khurshed's work to inspire youth began in his early career as a post graduate student at the Indian Institute of Technology after meeting eminent Indian spiritual leader and humanitarian, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Eager to improve his country, he sought a path of civic engagement, reaching thousands as one of the first members of faculty for the Art of Living Foundation, a premier development and capacity building non-profit. After launching several strategic initiatives for the organization including The Great Green Project, Donate A Book-Educate a Child and The March Against Terrorism and Corruption Khurshed launched several massive efforts to advance ethical corporate and public sector governance - engaging with corporate leaders, multilateral agencies, members of government in India, the non-profit sector and Universities on innovative programs that engaged thousands to support and promote ethical decision making and stress-free leadership. His interactions with political, economic, social and academic leaders in this period led him to see the importance of working with and supporting youth to become strong, ethical and service-oriented. After working with Fortunate 100 companies and business titans, he therefore turned his attention to future generations and under the guidance of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, launched the YES!+.
In addition to serving as Director-Art of Living Youth, Bawa has developed a number of social ventures. He created the "Mumbai Connection" board game, Vishala café and is writing a Cook Book.
Khurshed served as a feature speaker at TEDx, London Business School, IIMs and IITs. An avid chef, inventor and traveler, Khurshed resides in Bangalore, India.
