The first International Yoga Day was celebrated here on Sunday with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading a large number of students and others in a yoga session at the lal Parade Ground. The Chief Minister along with the State’s Home Minister Babulal Gaur, Mayor Alok Sharma, MP Alok Sanjar, MlA Rameshwar Sharma and Vishwas Sarang, Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, DGP Surendra Sinh, a large number of NCC cadets, officers, employees, police personnel, people and Yoga trainers performed various yoga asanas along with school and college students.
At the programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modis' address on International Day of Yoga was aired. Prayer, various Yoga Asans, Pranayam, Dhyan and Sankalp were performed at the event. Chief Minister while addressing state level mass Yoga programme on International Day of Yoga urged people to make Yoga a part of life, develop useful and unique personality and contribute to improve state, country and world.
Chouhan said that practice of Yoga is necessary to realise our full potential. He urged people to make Yoga part of their routine life and practice Pranayam daily. Yoga interconnects entire world. On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this ancient practice of India has become a way of life for entire world today. Healthy body is vital for achieving success in life and Yoga is necessary to keep body fit. Yoga and Pranayam create inner energy that keeps body healthy. Yoga is a scientific method which keeps heart happy and helps mind work with full capacity. Yoga is a method for welfare of all.
It is a means to connect with God.The United Nations in December declared June 21 as International Yoga Day, with 177 countries voting in favour. The proposal had been mooted by the prime minister during his first address to the UN General Assembly in September. Chouhan thanked Modi for mooting this proposal at the UN General Assembly that led to declaration of June 21 as the International Yoga Day on the occasion."Yoga cannot be confined to any religion. It is an exercise to keep one healthy and for the peace of mind," he said.
Union Minister for Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar and state Finance Minister Jayant Mallaiya lead the yoga session in Gwalior. As per reports received, International Yoga Day was also celebrated at all district headquarters in the state where the minister-in-charges were deputed to lead the yoga session.