In a time when global health, well-being, and peace are paramount concerns, the work of P. Krishnan Balaji and the SREE PATHANJALI MAHARISHI YOGALAYAM TRUST stands as a shining example of dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Through numerous groundbreaking initiatives in the field of yoga, they have made substantial contributions particularly toward Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 4: Quality Education, and Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
1. 9th International Yoga Day – Spreading Awareness Through Youth Involvement
On June 21, 2023, during the 9th International Yoga Day celebration, 200 students performed 15 yoga mudras in just one minute, setting a Nova World Record (NWR-2023-1058). This event was not just a celebration but a large-scale awareness campaign highlighting yoga’s role in improving physical and mental health. This initiative resonates with SDG 3, promoting physical activity among youth and integrating wellness into education systems.
2. 1000 Consecutive Days of Yoga Television Broadcasting
A record-setting feat recognized as NWR-2023-1082, P. Krishnan Balaji hosted 1000 uninterrupted days of yoga programming on television, providing accessible health education and daily wellness routines to the public. This commitment exemplifies efforts toward SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 3, using media to make lifelong health education universally available.
3. 10th International Yoga Day – Unity in Mantra and Movement
The 10th International Yoga Day, held on June 21, 2024, brought together 500 students to perform Omkara mantras for five minutes. This deeply spiritual and health-centric event was recognized as Record No.: NWR-2024-1114, promoting mindfulness and communal harmony. The activity directly supports SDG 3 and SDG 16, encouraging peace through meditative practices.
4. 30th Consecutive Guru Pooja Festival – Promoting Cultural Harmony and Peace
Held on December 29, 2024, the 30th Guru Pooja Festival was not merely a ritual observance, but a transformative effort to promote world peace, global health, and intercultural harmony. This effort, registered as NWR 2024-1152, symbolizes the fusion of traditional values with global peace-building goals, supporting SDG 16 and SDG 3.
5. Mass Chakra Thiyanam for World Peace
On the same day, over 500 participants performed Chakra Thiyanam, a meditative practice aimed at spiritual and planetary healing. This initiative, logged as NWR 2024-1153, reflects a powerful alignment with SDG 3 and SDG 16, integrating traditional practices into modern peace-building efforts.
6. Nova Pride Award – Best Yoga Institute of the Year
The recognition of SREE PATHANJALI MAHARISHI YOGALAYAM TRUST as the Best Yoga Institute of the Year further cements its place as a role model institution. This accolade underscores the trust’s unwavering commitment to community well-being, resilience, and inspiring leadership—embodying the spirit of the UN SDGs.
Conclusion
Through consistent dedication, innovative engagement, and culturally rooted practices, P. Krishnan Balaji and his trust have proven that traditional wellness systems like yoga can be powerful tools in advancing global goals. Their work contributes not only to individual well-being but also to collective consciousness, peace, and sustainable development, echoing the core aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.