Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday participated in a yoga session on indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi on the occasion of the International Yoga Day with Navy personnel and said it was a matter of pride for India that yoga was being celebrated globally as it shows the world is acknowledging the country’s rich culture and also adopting it.
The Army and the Navy also practised yoga all across the country and abroad to mark the day.
Interacting with the media after the yoga session, Rajnath said while yoga was acknowledged by the United Nations nine years ago only, it was being followed and practised in various parts of the world, including India, for centuries.
He also said that a lot of people suffer from various physiological and psychological problems due to the hectic pace of life nowadays and the only effective solution for these issues is yoga.
Early in the morning, the Defence Minister joined the naval personnel in their performance and led the celebrations on board the sprawling aircraft carrier. ‘Agniveers’ also performed yoga in unison, embracing the spirit of unity and well-being. Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other senior officers of the Navy and the Ministry of Defence were also present during the event.
army personnel conducted yoga sessions at more than 100 locations along the country’s land and maritime borders, forming a ‘Bharatmala’ on the occasion of the IYD. Army Chief General Manoj Pande was the chief guest at the mass yoga event organised at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment, the Army said.
Yoga day celebrations are also being done on board ships of several foreign navies in concert with India’s overseas missions, involving more than 1,200 foreign navy personnel.