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I understand your question states “ why does Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living take money in name of donation for courses, projects etc?”I am an Art of Living teacher and we are about 15000 teachers in India. Let me take you through the backend of organising an Art of Living program. A typical Art of Living program is 6 days long with 4 hours duration on each day. For organising an Art of Living program, we need the followingVenue - A place to do the program which we pay rentSound system, LCD Projector, Mike: We pay rent for this againElectricity Bill (Water, House keeping and A/C Bill sometimes) : For the duration of the programStationery & Utility Items: Typically bought from a storeWater, Food, First Aid and Carpets: Basic amenities for the participants comfort which are boughtAdditionally, the volunteers who are full time working on the course are given a nominal allowance towards conveyance in form of fuel charges, food bills etcThis leaves us with a substantial expenditure for the program which needs to be taken from the participants in form of a course donation (which is not fixed). In an A-city like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, an Art of Living program costs anywhere between Rs. 2,000. For example, take an Art of Living program in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.. Let us assume that 15 people are attending this program.Organising a program of this stature in Jubilee Hills costs me anything between 23–25K for the program while the donations from the participants come to a 30K (assuming 2k per participant). So after investing 24 hours on the program for 6 days, I am left with 5000/- gross positive which comes to an average Rs 21/hour.I can make more money per hour by selling Golgappas and Momos on the street. So accusing Art of Living of collecting donations would be a very facile way to taint us.Firstly, nothing in this world comes for free. Whatever which comes for free is taken for granted. All that the nature provides us is free and look what we have done to it. Right from the tooth paste you use in the morning to the last mobile call you make in the night before you go to sleep, everything is charged and charged commensurately. Why should an Art of Living program which is beneficial in long-term and involves the time and effort of the volunteers come for free. If you are not able to afford it, you are welcome to come and sit on our free courses which happen round the year. 24 hours of gym training along with a trainer costs an average of 7–8K per month. One session with a expert in VLCC or La Belle costs an average of 4000/-. A single session appointment with doctors costs anything between 300–500/-. How is an Art of Living program which is much powerful than all these channels supposed to not charge anything?Secondly, the 5000/- which is left after conducting the course is pumped back into the large and diverse range of service projects being run by the Art of Living. Few of these are:River Rejuvenation and Organic Farming: As many as 24 rivers have been rejuvenated in India so far and thousands of acres are under organic farming to stop farmer suicides. To set-up a small water system and set up a home garden it costs anything between 1.5 -2 lakhs in India, imagine rejuvenating thousands of kms of rivers which have been comatose for years. Here’s an article about our river rejuvenation by Gurudev himself.Free Education : 53361 students in 425 Art of Living free schools are receiving free education along with free uniforms, books, mid-day meals. A ballpark figure suggests that it costs 20k per year to sponsor a single student. So do your math to understand, how much it costs to sponsor 53K students for years. This plus maintaining and running the school administration..Women Empowerment: Protection against female foeticide, economic empowerment, girl child education, HIV-AIDS awareness are a few signature programs by Art of Living towards women and child empowerment.Rural Development: Art of Living has worked in over 40,000 villages . Thousands of borewells, homes, toilets and bio-gas plants have been built along with lakhs of youth being trained to support their village and family for free. This plus thousands of youth have been trained in skills such as carpentry, electrician, beautician, solar plant management to find employment for free in skill development centres. Around 50,000 solar lamps have been distributed in areas with no-electricity for free. The entire work is done under the umbrella of SSRDPConflict Relief: Thousands of people are displaced for any conflict which arises in pockets of the world. Art of Living is in the first line to run to the rescue of such people. For example, over 100 tonnes of food has been air dropped for Yazidi refugees stuck in Sinjar mountains. Some of our volunteers have done amazing work in IraqThe Art of Living Free Courses: The Art of Living teaches courses for free to prison inmates, economically weak sections, human trafficking victims, victims of conflict and violence. These courses do need a lot of money as everything is managed by the organisation. This plus, hundreds of youth leadership training workshops across the country. One of the most talked about project is the one at Tihar Jail.Additionally, there are countless ad-hoc projects which spring up as per their need and importance.In conclusion, Art of Living is committed to serving this society and making this a better place. We believe that our intention with strong commitment is the fuel for the change we bring in this society. Just because our intention is good, our fan does not oblige without electricity and our car does not oblige without fuel. We do need money and quite a lot to support and run our activities. This job is sacred and every rupee which comes in the name of it is equally sacred.We issue receipts to each and every rupee we receive. Every transaction above 5000/- needs a PAN card for sure. We have rejected our donations when the donors chose to stay secret. And there is a classic Income Tax exemption you get under 80G act if you are in India. So, all this money is spent with utmost integrity and transparency.In the end, we are a spiritual organisation and we do not represent any one particular faith or belief. We stand for humanity and culture. There are countless religious organisations, mosques and churches who receive larger and much questionable donations (Ford Foundation funding, funds for religious conversions) which are not questioned by government, administration and civil society. You might want to ask a question or two there.Good day :)

From being ragpicker to celebrity photographer, the story ofVicky Roy:Vicky Roy came from a poor family, other than him, there were six other mouths of his three sisters and three brothers to feed. Getting beaten by his mother was normal, and he was not allowed to play with other children, and while his parents went in search of work, he was left with his grandparents.Running away:In 1999, when he was 11-years old, Roy decided to run away. With Rs. 900 in his pocket, which he had stolen from his uncle, he boarded a train at Purulia, West Bengal, and landed in Delhi. Some street children at the station spotted him crying, and took him to Salaam Balaak Trust (SBT), a home for young boys who have no place else to go that was formed from the proceeds of the Mira Nair movie ‘Salaam Bombay.’But the place was always locked, this did not suit Roy’s free spirit, so one morning when the gates were opened for the milkman to come, he ran away for a second time. He met the same kids he had met at the railway station, and after narrating his tale, he joined them as a ragpicker. ” I collected water bottles and sold them for Rs. 5, the police beat us and the goons on the railway platform would steal all our money. I joined a restaurant near Ajmeri gate as a dishwasher, during winters the water was cold, and I had rashes that would bleed. This was when I met a volunteer from the same SBT who told me that I should be in school and that the trust had many centres and in some you could attend school and you are not locked up all the time,” says Roy. He rejoined one of the many centres the trust ran called Apna Ghar.Back to SBT and meeting Dixie Benjamin:Roy scored 48 per cent in his 10th standard board exams. Realizing that he was not bright academically he was told to join National Institute of Open Schooling where he could get training in computers or TV repair. His first brush with photography happened here, when he came across two kids who were undergoing a photography training, and had also gone to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.Little did he know that his life was about to change forever.He met Dixie Benjamin, a British filmmaker, who was making a documentary on SBT. Roy hit it off with Benjamin and became his assistant, and thus began his journey as a photographer. Benjamin couldn’t converse in Hindi, and Roy knew only a smattering of English, but he was still able to pick up most of what Benjamin taught him about concepts like aperture, lighting and so on. Before this Roy had used a plastic Kodak camera to take photos. Benjamin brought him upto speed with the use of an SLR.A dream comes true:Roy was soon to turn 18-years, and he was dreading it, this meant that he will have to leave SBT and set out on his own. SBT would provide with the basics like a gas cylinder, stove, matress and utensils: but he knew no other life other than what he had at SBT. However, becoming independent proved a blessing in disguise. Roy approached Anay Maan, the well-known portrait photographer to be his assistant. He agreed, but wanted Roy to stay with him for a minimum of three years, he did want him to leave after a few months having picked up some tricks of the trade.Anay Maan turned out to be a good teacher and mentor. He used to teach Roy about photography by drawing a picture by hand and explaining concepts like lighting and depth of field. The assignments took Roy to many places, his life was now lived in luxurious hotels, and he was collecting flight boarding passes by the dozen. He also browsed a lot of books on photography, which told stories of different subjects. It occurred to him that he had a story to tell as well. He was already on possession of a Nikon F80 that he had bought taking a loan of Rs 28,000 from SBT, which he had repaid by giving back Rs 500 a month.He shot street children who were 18 years or less, and had a goal to do something with their lives. “I had my first exhibition called ‘Street Dreams’ in 2007, this was sponsored by British Commission and DFID that was very successful. I also took the exhibition to London and South Africa and sold many copies of the book. I now started feeling like I had arrived as a photographer and started developing an attitude,” says Roy. Anay Maan called him and put things into perspective saying that before the exhibition he was simple, but now he was rude. This struck a chord in Roy, who promised to stay true to his roots and not forget his humble beginnings.He continued working with his mentor on a part-time basis and mostly on the big assignments. There was a subtle change in their relationship, Ayaymaan treated him with a lot more respect, now as his equal, and friend.Dreaming bigger:Having a built a platform with ‘Street Dreams’ Roy was confident to take on more ambitious projects. In 2008, there was global competition organized by Maybach Foundation, the Ramchandra Nath Foundation nominated his work, and he was one among three photographers chosen for a six-month residency to be held in 2009 at the International Centre for Photography. This led him to be given access to the World Trade Centre (WTC) site, once a week, for two hours. “I finally felt I knew the reason why I had run away from home all those years back,” recalls Roy. His work was exhibited at WTC 7, and won the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, he was invited to lunch with Prince Edward at Buckingham Palace. This was the first time that he had heard of the palace. Roy’s work started to go places: like the Whitechapel Gallery and the Fotomusem Switzerland. He held his second solo exhibition – WTC: Now- at the American centre in Delhi, in 2009.Going back to his Apna Ghar roots:After tasting success globally, Roy decided to come back home to Apna Ghar and resumed work that he had started in 2007. The work was displayed at Vadera Art Gallery, and to coincide with 25 years of Apna Ghar’s existence, he teamed with editor Sanjiv Shaith to bring out a book that was debuted at the Delhi Photo Festival in 2011 called Home. Street. Home.Giving back:Even after all the success that Roy has under his belt in his relatively short career, he doesn’t feel like he has arrived as yet. But he’s giving back to his fraternity in small ways. Last year, along with photographer Chandan Gomes he started a photo library called Rang by donating over 500 books to Rang. Rang organizes photography workshops for children in schools and shelters and tries to infuse the spirit of photography in them. The high-quality books on photography can be accessed by anybody at Rang’s Open Library, which is currently located within the Ojas Art gallery in Mehrauli.Realizing the invaluable role that mentors like Benjamin and Anaymaan played early on in his life he has taken on himself to mentor other upcoming new photographers. He has currently taken under his wing, a 20 year old called Anish to assist him with his shoots.Reconnecting with his past in Purulia and ultimate dream:In January, 2013 Roy took part in a National Geography Channel (NGC) organized reality show, with other seven photographers. Somebody spotted him on TV from his village Purulia, and he started getting calls from there. His mother and siblings, with whom he’s back in touch, are proud of him. Ask Roy of his ultimate dream and he has this to say: “I don’t encourage anybody to run away, not every child who runs away gets the same opportunity that I got, I credit my mentors for this. I want to be counted as a good photographer, and build a nice house for my family in Purulia where I have bought a plot.”You can check out Roy’s work here.\Credits : I learnt about his struggles from his story published at yourstory !

I’ve arranged the top museums by category – History, Science/Technology, Art/Design, Sport. Also a couple of places to not bother with. Blurbs taken from various websites.H I S T O R YBritish MuseumFounded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over 2 million years of human history, with more than 13 million pieces in its collection. Visitors can enjoy a unique comparison of the treasures of world cultures under one roof, centered on the magnificent Great Court. World-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies are visited by up to 5.8 million visitors per year. There is also a program of special exhibitions and daily gallery tours, talks and guided tours.Tower of LondonOne of London's most famous landmarks, the historic Tower houses the Crown Jewels, the prison cell of Sir Walter Raleigh, known as the Bloody Tower, and the Chapel of St. John and the Royal Armories.Imperial War MuseumImpressive museum of modern wartime history, from the First World War to the present day. Permanent displays include A Family in Wartime, The Holocaust Exhibition and Secret War, lifting the lid on espionage and covert operations.Museum of LondonThe fascinating history of London is laid bare at this museum, dedicated to the capital. Explore the life of the city from prehistoric times to Victorian London and up to the present day.Museum of London DocklandsThis 200-year old warehouse houses all manner of objects charting London’s history as a port. Exhibits include Sailortown, recreating what life was like in 19th-century London; and London, Sugar & Slavery, about the capital’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.Household Cavalry MuseumLocated right at Horse Guards, the Household Cavalry Museum celebrates the history and people of this renowned regiment, in existence since 1661. See sharp uniforms, the troopers preparing their horses, and try on helmets and pieces of armour.V&A Museum of ChildhoodDelightful collection of childhood objects dating back to the 1600s, including retro dolls, antique games and dainty dolls. Take a nostalgic trip back to your own childhood and discover how kids lived and played in years gone by.National Maritime MuseumMuseum charting Britain’s rich naval history, from sea battles to voyages into the unknown. Includes ten free galleries with exhibits ranging from maps and charts to the actual uniform Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar.British LibraryAs well as being the UK’s national library, the British Library is a museum in its own right. As well as historic books and pamphlets on its shelves, it exhibits literary treasures such as the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s First Folio and Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebook.Sir John Soane's MuseumHistoric museum and library located in the former home of Sir John Soane, architect of the Bank of England. The house has been left untouched for almost 180 years, since he died, and contains an amazing collection of some 30,000 architectural drawings – as well as antiquities; art works by Hogarth, Turner and others; and the Sarcophagus of King Seti I. Surprisingly wonderful!Sherlock Holmes MuseumThe London home of the famous fictional detective, address: 221B Baker Street. Venture inside Holmes’ apartment to see life-size waxworks capturing his most famous moments, then pick up souvenirs in the shop.London Transport MuseumA museum dedicated to transport’s role in the growth of London since 1800. See the original artwork for Harry Beck’s Underground map, the world’s first Underground steam train, old London routemaster buses and more besides.Geffrye MuseumQuirky museum with rooms decorated in the style of British homes from as far back as 1600. See how interior design has changed over the years in England, before exploring the museum’s series of well-groomed period gardens.Charles Dickens MuseumLocated inside the building where the great writer himself lived (from 1837 to 1839), the Charles Dickens Museum gives an intriguing insight into the real life of a man best known for his works of fiction. Carefully restored rooms showcase the museum’s collection of letters, pictures, books, furniture and relics – as well as temporary exhibitions.Fan MuseumAs any enthusiasts of period dramas know, fans hold all sorts of uses – from keeping one cool, to acting as a shield for gossiping. Discover more about their history and see stunning examples form the 18th and 19th centuries inside the beautiful environs of the Fan Museum in Greenwich.Jewish MuseumCamden-based museum exploring London’s rich Jewish culture, heritage and identity, as well as shining a light on the Holocaust, Jewish ceremonial art and the history of Jewish life in Britain.Foundling MuseumLesser-known museum telling the touching story of the Foundling Hospital, the first home for abandoned babies in London. Alongside the belongings of the children are displayed moving tokens left by their mothers, as well as artworks donated by the likes of Hogarth and Reynolds and Handel memorabilia.Freud MuseumLocated in the former home of Sigmund Freud, this museum charts the life of the famous psychoanalyst – from Nazi-occupied Vienna to London. Take a peek into Freud’s study, and see his famous psychoanalytic couch.London Canal MuseumStep back in time and discover the days when London’s canals were bustling with traders, boat dwellers and cargo – and its streets full of the clip-clop of horses pulling the boats and carts. Located in a former ice warehouse, the museum even had a preserved ice well inside.Fashion and Textile MuseumA pioneering centre of contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery, the Fashion and Textile Museum was founded by colourful British design legend Zandra Rhodes. As well as permanent and temporary exhibitions it runs courses for would-be creatives.Garden MuseumA riverside museum celebrating British gardens and gardening. Explore its temporary exhibitions before venturing into the garden to see the words and pictures come to life.Royal Air Force MuseumThe history of aviation is the focus of this fascinating museum. Learn about the earliest balloon flight, see the impressive collection of more than 100 aircraft; and discover what it’s like to take to air in the 3D Aviation Cinema.Horniman MuseumFree South London museum that’s popular with children and fans of natural history and anthropology. Highlights include stuffed animals, an aquarium, musical instruments from round the world and a packed programme of events for all the family.Keats HouseA monument to the English Romantic poet John Keats, located in the Grade I listed building and garden where he once lived. Featuring paintings, prints and other objects belonging to him and his peers.National Army MuseumFind out about the history of the armed forces at the National Army Museum. Relive the history of the army from the British Civil Wars to the modern day, through a showcase thousands of inspiring objects.Chocolate MuseumIndependent museum dedicated to the origins and enjoyment of chocolate. As well as chocolate-related memorabilia and exhibits on the history of chocolate, there’s a café and regular expert workshops in chocolate making.S C I E N C E / T E C H N O L O G YNatural History MuseumThe Natural History Museum contains hundreds of interactive exhibits in one of London’s most beautiful landmark buildings. Highlights include the popular Dinosaurs gallery, the Mammals gallery, with its model blue whale, and the Central Hall, home to the museum’s iconic diplodocus skeleton. The state-of-the-art Cocoon building is where, on a self-guided tour, you can see hundreds of specimens, as well as look into laboratories and view scientists at work. The museum offers a wide-ranging program of temporary exhibitions and events, including chances to join experts in topical discussions about science and nature.Science MuseumExciting, interactive museum of science and technology, with hands-on galleries and simulators; an in-house IMAX 3D cinema and more than 15,000 objects on display.Wellcome CollectionFascinating museum exploring what it means to be human, through science, medicine and psychology. Highlights include Darwin’s walking stick, Napoleon’s toothbrush and a printout of the entire human genome sequence. Look out for the schedule of thought-provoking talks and temporary exhibitions too.A R T / D E S I G NVictoria and Albert Museum (V&A)The Victoria and Albert Museum is arguably the world's greatest museum of art and design, representing over 3,000 years of human creativity, with collections unrivaled in their scope and diversity. Situated in South Kensington, the V&A has recently undergone a dramatic program of renewal and restoration. Highlights include the Medieval Renaissance Galleries, containing some of the greatest surviving treasures from the period, the breathtaking William and Judith Bollinger Jewelry Gallery and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the nation’s art and design. In addition to the free permanent collection, the V&A offers an internationally acclaimed program of temporary exhibitions and an extensive events program. Highlights include the Medieval & Renaissance galleries, dazzling Jewellery gallery and UK-focused British Galleries.Tate ModernBritain's national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building, and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.National GalleryThe National Gallery displays Western European painting from approximately 1250 to 1900. Visitors can view amazing works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and van Gogh. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programs, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults. With more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, it’s a veritable treasure trove.Royal Academy of ArtsCentrally located in London’s West End, the Royal Academy of Arts is the oldest fine arts institution in Britain – founded in 1768. As well as giving a platform to its own artists through the annual Summer Exhibition, it hosts an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.Tate BritainThe sister gallery to the Tate Modern, focusing on British art from 1500 to today. Highlights include the Walk Through British art, showcasing master works from the likes of Hockney, Bacon, Turner, Blake, Moore, Hirst, Lowry, Gainsborough.National Portrait GalleryHome of the world’s largest collection of personalities and faces, from kings and queens to modern-day celebrities. Works include the Chandos portrait, the most famous portrait of William Shakespeare; a sketch of Jane Austen by her sister; and thousands of other portraits of famous Brits from the late Middle Ages up to today.Barbican Art GalleryArt gallery right in the heart of the Barbican Arts Centre, showcasing photography, fine art and design in a rolling programme of exhibitions. Don’t forget to visit free exhibition space The Curve while you’re there.Design MuseumCreative museum exploring the world of design through dedicated exhibitions on fashion, graphics, architecture and more. Check before going to see which talks and temporary exhibitions you might catch.The Wallace CollectionHistoric London town house with 28 elaborately decorated rooms showcasing a wealth of art treasures. Visit the armories; see paintings by Titian, Hals and Velázquez; and admire the collection of 18th century paintings, furniture and porcelain from France – some once owned by Queen Marie-Antoinette herself.Museum of Brands, Packaging and AdvertisingRevisit your childhood through the packaging and adverts of decades gone by. This novel museum has more than 12,000 items to see, dating back as far as Victorian times, including sweets, household products, music, television and more.Guildhall Art GalleryThe Guildhall Art Gallery is a treasure trove of paintings from 1670 to the 21st century. But a gallery with a difference – during its renovation in 1985, developers discovered London’s Roman Amphitheatre, where gladiators and wild animals once prowled and where you can now visit.Hayward GalleryThe brutalist-style Hayward Gallery is known for showcasing the work of innovative and experimental artists from around the world. It brings art into the open too by literally placing installations outdoors or in other corners of the Southbank Centre.Courtauld GalleryTucked away inside the beautiful 18th century Somerset House along London’s Strand, the Courtauld Gallery holds an impressive collection of drawings, watercolours and prints. Works on display include Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, Van Gogh’s Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Modigliani’s Female Nude.Dulwich Picture GalleryThis south London gallery, located in the picturesque Dulwich Village, is home to one of the country’s most superb collections of Old Masters. Works to look out for include pieces by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Canaletto.Saatchi GalleryInfluential contemporary gallery in Chelsea, founded by art collector Charles Saatchi. Best known as a springboard for new talent from the UK and around the world.Institute of Contemporary ArtsThe ICA, or centre for International Contemporary Arts, boasts not one but three galleries. It’s known for its buzzing programme of events and entertainment, so be sure to look out what’s on in its exhibition spaces, cinema, theatre or bar before you visit.White Cube Mason’s YardHigh-profile West London gallery, which opened in 2006 with an exhibition by Gabriel Orozco. Continues to present an exciting programme of art – also at its sister gallery White Cube Bermondsey.Whitechapel Art GalleryInfluential East London gallery that has long championed modern and contemporary artists, from Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso to Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. A real artists hub, with historic archives, art courses, bookshop and other resources.Photographer’s GalleryBritain’s leading centre for contemporary and historical photography. As well as showcasing work from new and established photographers, it sells prints and offers the opportunity to improve your skills through its education and talks programme.South London GalleryCutting-edge contemporary art gallery in Peckham, known for highlighting up-and-coming talent – with the likes of Gilbert and George and Tracy Emin previously spotlighted.S P O R TWimbledon Lawn Tennis MuseumAn opportunity to go behind the scenes at Wimbledon, the home of tennis in the UK. Take a tour of the famous grounds and learn about the players who found fame there.Arsenal StadiumGo behind the scenes at Arsenal Football Club with the Emirates Stadium Tour. Take your seat in the changing room, walk down the tunnel, sit in the dugout and imagine the roar of 60,000 fans. Tours open daily(Closed Matchdays). Tours available in 9 languages.Lords Cricket GroundLord's Cricket Ground is known as the Home of Cricket and is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club - better known, throughout the cricketing world, as MCC. Founded in 1787, MCC is the world's most famous cricket club.Sports fans should also check out London’s other sports museums.See –Top 50 Museums and Galleries in LondonThe Best Museums in London - TripAdvisorDONT BOTHER…You can't get into Big Ben unless you’re a UK citizen and you’ve booked several months in advance.Madam Tussauds Waxworks Museum – only if you’re comfortable with crowds and long, long waits.London Dungeon – similar.The Clink Prison Museum – a cheap mock-up of an old prison.