Walkathon – Bringing a change from Within

To be a part of the movement towards health awareness and bringing this change in myself motivated me to participate in the Be the Change walkathon. Walking in nature has always been my favorite activity. When it comes to Ananda, being with gurubhais makes the Joy multiply.

I was especially waiting for the walkathon because it was our beloved Guru Paramhansa Yogananda’s birth anniversary. For many years, we have celebrated His birthday with large social events in Ananda Pune.

We started calling people for the occasion, and many of them were enthusiastic to come. Since it was a walking event, many people with small children and people of old age could also participate. They who spoke to us were happy to bring their parents and children. By making calls everyday, we reached many people who had read the book Autobiography of a Yogi and also knew Ananda and Master.

As the day of the walkathon approached, we all were getting ready in many ways. A group was preparing shirts and bibs and distributing them to participants. Some of us were on the University lawns, helping to put up the stage, tables, chairs and direction signs since 4 am. Some were in the Ananda Pune city center, preparing medals. Many of us were making sandwiches in our community kitchen: we made 1800 boxes for around 1750 participants. Joy was flowing from each one of us. The Traffic team, pit stop team, registration, kitchen, publications team, pacers, baggage counter: everywhere devotees were happily joining their energies to help people feel Master around them.

The Be the Change Walkathon was really such a successful event (and I have seen many group events), because everybody was most willing to serve. Planning and execution were really systematic.

I was a pacer for the ten kilometer route. Some young college students were enjoying the walk; a few were really fast runners.