Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to lay foundation stone for International Yoga and Meditation Centre at Hallagere village

Mandya:  Former President of the United States (US) Barack Obama and former First Lady of the US Michelle Obama are expected to visit Mandya during May-June next year for the inauguration of ‘Mother Earth’ monument being constructed at a cost of around Rs. 100 crore by SCOPE Foundation headed by Dr. Lakshminarasimha Murthy, an NRI and father of present US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Hallagere Murthy, at his native Hallagere village.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Mandya MLA G. Ravikumar (Ganiga) said that officials from American Embassy had visited Hallagere to review the ongoing works and inspect the place.

“They have given us a few suggestions based on which the infrastructure works such as construction of road, electricity, drains and providing drinking water are being carried out. We are also constructing three helipads for the VVIPs visit. While Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) is spending Rs. 20 crore, the Public Works Department will spend Rs. 20 crore for the infrastructure,” he said.

However, the official date for Obamas visit is yet to be announced, said MLA Ravikumar adding that they are expected to visit Hallagere during May-June next year.

During their visit, the Obamas will be laying the foundation stone for an International Yoga and Meditation Centre at the ‘Mother Earth Centre for Science of Spirituality.’ Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama is also expected to take part in the event.

Dr. Lakshminarasimha Murthy is constructing ‘Mother Earth Monument’ on a 13-acre inherited land. It will have a 11ft-tall statue of Mother Earth along with statues of various philosophers.

Purpose of the monument

Named as ‘Mother Earth Centre for Science of Spirituality’ (Bhoodevi Aadyathmika Kendra), it is being constructed to provide a visual opportunity for people to express gratitude to Mother Earth. The activities in the Centre will be non-ritualistic spiritual practices that create a sense of unity and belongingness to Mother Earth.

Each of the four walls will have eight relief carvings outside and eight inside. The carvings will be of humanitarians from around the world who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of humanity without any barriers.     

It may be mentioned, Dr. Lakshminarasimha Murthy, accompanied by Mandya District Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy and legislators of Mandya district, had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in December 2023 seeking logistical support from the State Government to facilitate the VVIPs visit and inaugural ceremony. The CM had also extended his support stating that the State Government would provide all necessary infrastructure at the venue.

Dr. Vivek Murthy

Dr. Vivek Hallagere Murthy, a graduate of Harvard University, the Yale School of Management, was confirmed by the US Senate in March 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.

Dr. Murthy had previously served as the 19th Surgeon General under President Obama.