Seven monks from Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation run at Tata Mumbai Marathon to raise funds for Isha Vidhya schools that are making quality education affordable and accessible in rural India.

MUMBAI, 18 JANUARY, 2026 (GPN / SACHIN MURDESHWAR 📞 8108510506): Seven brahmacharis (monks) from Sadhguru’s Isha Foundation participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon today to raise funds for the education of rural children. Of the seven participants, three female monks took part in the 6 km Dream Run, while four male monks completed the full 42 km marathon.

Swami Patu (47) completed the marathon in 3 hours and 51 minutes, while Swami Jyotisha (46) finished in 4 hours and 12 minutes. Swami Pulaka (34), who ran barefoot, completed the marathon in 4 hours and 39 minutes, while Swami Purnamsha (37) finished in 5 hours and 19 minutes. Maa Punya, Maa Saketha and Maa Bhuteshwari completed the Dream Run successfully.

The funds raised through the marathon will support children studying at Isha Vidhya schools in rural Tamil Nadu, many of whom would otherwise not have access to quality English-medium education.

Speaking about the schools, Swami Purnamsha, said, “Most Isha Vidhya children come from remote villages where quality education is simply not available. Even if they go to school, it is often only for namesake. Their parents cannot afford tuition or help them study at home and without quality education, they remain stuck in a generational cycle of poverty. Knowing this places a deep responsibility on us to ensure that quality education is provided at the school.”

Elaborating on the initiatives, he added, “Beyond the regular curriculum, we have put in place several interventions to support the children. This includes peer-based learning, where senior students help younger ones, and remedial classes for those who are struggling. Since our schools are in villages, finding and retaining good teachers is also a challenge. To address this, we train our teachers on an ongoing basis so that our students receive consistent, good-quality teaching.”

Recalling his personal experience, Swami Purnamsha said, “I still remember my first day visiting an Isha Vidhya school. Seeing how these interventions help rural children grow into confident and capable human beings continues to inspire me to raise funds. Without this support, many of them would still be stuck in the same cycle.”

Speaking about his own journey as a runner, he said, “I had never run a marathon earlier, but regular yogic practices, including Classical Hatha Yoga and meditation, have improved my lung capacity and heart-rate stability. Since coming to Isha, I have completed my fourth marathon.”

In Isha Vidhya schools, the majority of students come from vulnerable and tribal communities, where challenges related to access to education, nutrition, hygiene, and stability remain prevalent. Along with academics, yoga and meditation are integrated into daily school activities to support students’ physical, mental, and emotional development. Nearly 49% of the students are girls, and 60% study on full scholarship.

To know more about Isha Vidhya please visit: https://consciousplanet.org/en/isha-vidhya