Reza Iranmanesh, Mohammad-Reza (born September 10, 1967, Jiroft) Iranmanesh has a Bachelor’s degree in Acting from the University and a Master’s degree in Directing from Tarbiat Moallem University. He is a veteran of sacred defense against invading Iraq in the 1980s. The founder of Art of Living, Ravi Shankar, lauded the efforts of Modi, saying, “It is very difficult for any philosophy, religion or culture to survive without state patronage. Yoga has existed so far almost like an orphan. Now, official recognition by the UN would further spread the benefit of yoga to the entire world.”