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Indian American's book launch sets world record
The event held at the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan grounds, set the world record for the largest audience ever to attend a book reading by a single author.
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Madhu Balaji - Thu, 20, Apr 2023
- 15:38 EDT
- 492
Indian American author Prem Rawat recently launched the Hindi version of his book titled "Hear Yourself – How to find peace in a noisy world" at Ramabai Ambedkar Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh and set a world record for “the largest audience in attendance at a single author book reading.â€
According to a press statement Rawat read out a chapter of his book during the event to an audience of over 114,704 people. The record was acknowledged on stage by Guinness World Records adjudicator Pravin Patel, the release noted.
Interestingly, Rawat's record also exceeded the multiple author record of 20,264 by more than 5 times. After the reading, Rawat was interviewed by Bollywood actress Bhagyashree Dasani, during which he explained why most individuals do not listen to the voice of their conscience.
“It is very difficult to stop the noise between our ears. We are busy worrying about yesterday and tomorrow when life exists in today. Learn from children how to live in the present. Children know how to live life in every moment,†the 65-year-old philanthropist said.
In his book "Head Yourself"  published by Harper Collins, Rawat shares his experiences meeting a wide range of people from religious luminaries, and political leaders, to prisoners in some of the world’s highest security prisons. The book was initially launched in English in the US in September 2021 and is now available in languages including French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Portuguese.
In 2012, Rawat was awarded the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Malaysia for his contributions to promoting global peace.
Indian-American entrepreneur Raj Mantena has donated US$1 million (INR 9 crore) to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), directed toward modernizing the PAC 1, 2, and 3 accommodation blocks used by pilgrims.
Mantena, while announcing the donation in the presence of TTD chairman B.R. Naidu, said that the donation was made on behalf of his daughter and son-in-law, who recently tied the knot in Udaipur.
This contribution adds to Mantena’s past support, including a US$1.8 million (INR 16 crore) donation made in 2012.
A video posted by Naidu on X on Nov. 26 documented the ceremony, showing the leadership team receiving the contribution. Additional executive officer Venkayya Chowdary and Member of Parliament Appalanayudu were also present during the event.
Also Read: Meet Raj Mantena, the Indian-American behind India’s viral wedding of the year
“On behalf of TTD, heartfelt congratulations for this spirit of service shown towards providing better facilities to devotees. We pray that the blessings of Swami always remain upon him and his family. We hope that such spiritual services continue in the future as well,” Naidu said.
టీటీడీకి మరో గొప్ప విరాళం.
— B R Naidu (@BollineniRNaidu) November 26, 2025
పీఏసీ 1, 2 & 3 భవనాల అధునీకరణ కోసం శ్రీ మంతెన రామలింగ రాజు గారు రూ.9 కోట్లు విరాళం అందజేశారు.
2012లో కూడా రూ.16 కోట్లు విరాళమిచ్చిన దాత.
భక్తులకు మెరుగైన సౌకర్యాల కోసం చూపిన ఈ సేవాభావానికి టీటీడీ తరఫున హృదయపూర్వక అభినందనలు. స్వామి వారి అనుగ్రహం ఆయన… pic.twitter.com/plRMNmeWMl
TTD officials said the donation money will be deployed toward infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving accommodation capacity amid rising pilgrim footfall.
Mantena, a native of Andhra Pradesh, is widely regarded as a serial entrepreneur in oncology. He currently leads Integra Connect, a cloud-based platform for value-based care that has reportedly brought in over $260 million.
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