3,000 Pune schools participate in 9-9-9 Challenge organized by AYUDH

PUNE, July 24, 2023 – Over 9 lakh students from 3,000 PCMC, PMC and Private schools in Pune, Maharashtra participated in a unique 9-9-9 Yoga-Meditation challenge of the C20 Working Group on Integrated Holistic Health – Mind, Body, Environment, organized by AYUDH. The campaign, that lasted nine days, was inaugurated by Dr. Shekhar Singh, IAS, Commissioner of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and former District Collector and Magistrate of Satara.

The 9-9-9 Challenge stands for “9 Surya Namaskars, 9 Minutes of Meditation, 9 Days.” It aims to encourage school children in Pune to make Yoga and Meditation a part of their daily lives. AYUDH India, the international youth movement guided by renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), has partnered with the C20 Working Group to organize this challenge throughout the world.

Said Dr. Shekhar Singh, IAS: “The 999 Challenge is designed to inspire students to push their boundaries and achieve their fullest potential. It encompasses a series of activities and goals tailored to foster holistic development, including academic excellence, critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement. We need to empower students and equip them with the necessary skills and mindset to face the challenges of the modern world. I appreciate the efforts of Coordinators from AYUDH India Team and thank them for providing this wonderful opportunity to school students in Pune. We hope it will inspire more and more children in the world to embrace a healthy lifestyle.”

Added Bri Amritatmika Chaitanya, the National Coordinator of AYUDH: “Yoga and Meditation can have a major impact on mental health and physical well-being. The 9-9-9 challenge was initiated in January this year and lakhs of students have already participated in it from all over the world. It involves practicing 9 rounds of Surya Namaskar and 9 minutes of Meditation for World Peace daily for 9 days. The core principle is centered around creating outer peace through inner peace. Participants have reported experiencing positive changes in their life outlook, energy levels and overall sense of well-being.”

The G20 (Group of 20) is a forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. It works to address major issues related to the global economy. C20 provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders in G20. The C20 working group on Integrated Holistic Health aims to widen the discussions on different facets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

World-renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) is the Chair of C20.