When the world witnessed International Yoga Day, it was just a regular Sunday for most of the commoners of Ranchi. Healthy chunk of people remained confined to their comfort zone while relaxing and passed leisure time off duty.This was evident among the businessmen, youngsters, shopkeepers, housewives, rickshaw pullers and auto drivers. “Sunday is basically a day when you want to have leisure time with your family. It is a day when I enjoy with my family, watch movies and go for shopping. Moreover, it is a day when I prepare delicious snacks for my kids. As I remain indulged in household activities and family I can hardly spare time for Yoga Day,” said Shanti Roy, a housewife residing at Ratu Road.
Youths also could hardly find any time for Yoga on the occasion being celebrated with much fanfare and they found nothing special in ‘International Yoga Day’. “Sunday is moreover a Fun day, when we are free from our daily engagements. Sleep, eat and fun is the motto of Sunday for me. When the week provides us with only one fun day how can we spare it for Yoga DayIJ” said a girl at hostel in lalpur.Apart from the youngsters and housewives, it was also a common day for the business men of the city. “I know it is a very big occasion when the world is celebrating the International Yoga Day but for me it is like any other Sunday. Being a businessman I remain quite busy in my work that I hardly get any time for rest,” said Rakesh Gupta, a business man.
There were also who are regular practitioner of the famed mental and physical exercise but could not spare time for on that particular occasion. “I am regular to Yoga, but could not perform on the Yoga day since I have been travelling for weeks. As a result I was very tired to perform Yoga and needed some breathing space” said Deepika from Kanke.
As these people could not celebrate the Yoga day as it was a day of relaxation for them on the other hand some section of the society could not perform Yoga as they were busy in earning their livelihood. “Pulling rickshaw everyday keeps me fit and energetic. This is a sort of Yoga for me and I do not require any special day or any special Asanas to keep me fit,” said rickshaw puller Suresh Mahto at Argora.Similarly, an auto driver Prakash lohra at Kanke Road said, “I eat from the sweat of my brow and cannot afford to leave my job even for a single day. I have a large family comprising seven members. Being the only earning member my family is entirely dependent upon me. Under these circumstances I cannot waste even a day. Yoga Day may be a great concern for others but earning livelihood is my first priority.”