JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Runners, walkers, families, volunteers and community leaders gathered at Cauley Creek Park on Sept. 27 for the Heartfulness Green 5K Run & Walk, combining fitness and community participation with a message of environmental awareness and service.
Organized by Heartfulness Atlanta, the event drew participants from across metro Atlanta for a morning focused on health, wellness and environmental responsibility. The event also raised awareness and support for ecological restoration initiatives undertaken by Heartfulness in India.
Honorable Chief Guest, Dr. Sumit Seth, Consul General of India in Atlanta, attended along with elected officials, civic leaders and community representatives. Among them were Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry; Georgia State Reps. Matt Reeves, House District 99, and Michelle Au, House District 50; Johns Creek City Council members Dilip Tunki and Erin Elwood; Forsyth County Commissioner Todd Levent, District 3; and Himanshu Karnwal, a board member of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority.
Their participation added a civic dimension to an event centered on health, community service and environmental stewardship.
The 5K brought together runners of varying experience levels, walkers and families. Rather than focusing solely on competition, the event emphasized participation and a shared purpose. Volunteers assisted with registration, logistics, outreach and event-day operations.
Connecting Fitness with Environmental Action
The Green 5K supports the Heartfulness Eco-Rejuvenation Project, an initiative of the Heartfulness Institute focused on restoring degraded ecosystems in India through reforestation, regeneration of native ecosystems and rejuvenation of water bodies.
Heartfulness Atlanta has been building awareness and support for the initiative among the Indian-American community and the broader Atlanta community. Organizers said the Green 5K offered local residents an opportunity to contribute to an environmental effort with a broader international reach.
The event reflects a broader Heartfulness philosophy that connects personal wellness with service and environmental responsibility. Heartfulness is a global meditation and wellness organization that also supports community service and ecological initiatives. Its Atlanta chapter conducts programs focused on meditation, wellness, volunteer service and environmental awareness.
Community Support
The Green 5K was supported by businesses, organizations, foundations and individual sponsors.
Sponsors and supporters included 33 Holdings, Suvidha, Patel Brothers, Swad, Raja Foods, Sheth Family Foundation, Chamblee Dental Care, Sainergy, Symbioun Technologies, Global Mall, Pyramid Consulting, Apne Wala, FOGA USA, HCL Global Systems and Sid Ganju.
Organizers thanked the sponsors and volunteers who contributed to planning, outreach, coordination and event-day activities.
Family participation was also a key feature of the gathering, with runners and walkers of different ages and fitness levels encouraged to participate.
The event highlighted how diaspora organizations can connect community engagement in the United States with service initiatives in India. Through fundraising, awareness and volunteer participation, Heartfulness Atlanta members have supported environmental restoration efforts while promoting environmental responsibility locally.
For organizers, that connection is central to the event's
purpose: local participation can help generate awareness and support for
environmental work taking place In India.
Heartfulness Atlanta captured the spirit of the morning with its message:
“One Run. One Community. One Heart.”
The organization plans to continue programs focused on meditation, wellness, service and environmental awareness, guided by its principle that meditation is free and accessible to all.