The prediction of rain by the weathermen on International Yoga day proved correct when a heavy downpour started as soon as Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat lighted lamp to inaugurate State level Yoga programme at Parade ground on Wednesday. Anticipating the rain, the organisers of the event had erected a big waterproof tent and it helped in smooth organisation of the programme.
In his address, the CM Rawat termed Yoga as a carrier by which one can connect with God. He said that Yoga not only is beneficial for a healthy body but also is essential for health of mind. Rawat said that is a matter of great pleasure that Yoga first conceptualised by Maharshi Patanjali has millions of followers worldwide. Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand said that it is result of his vision and efforts that today Yoga is being performed in more than 200 countries of the world. He appealed people to make Yoga part of their daily life for improving their mental and physical health.
The Forest and AYUSH Minister Harak Singh Rawat said that it is heartening to note that yoga has crossed the boundaries of Uttarakhand and reached to every part of the world. He said that role of Swami Ramdev and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of paramount importance in providing international fame for Yoga. He said that the State Government is committed to make a swachch (clean) and Swastha (healthy) Uttarakhand.
large number of officials of government, police and different departments were present on the occasion. A big crowd of common people was also present to perform different Yoga asans. The Yoga instructors from the Uttarakhand Ayurveda University under guidance of Aseem Kulshrestha led people in performing various Yoga movements. The brand ambassador of Yoga in Uttarakhand Dilraj Preet Kaur enthralled the audience with her Yoga movements, flexibility of the body and skills.
Interestingly while Chief Minister, Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat and MlAs performed yoga on higher platform which was also being used as stage, the Education Minister Arvind Pandey preferred to put up his Yoga mat with general public. He was twice called up from the dais to join other dignitaries on the stage but he didn’t put up any heed to these calls.
The BJP MlAs Harbans Kapoor, Ganesh Joshi, Vinod Chamoli and Khajan Das were also present on the occasion. However tourism minister Satpal Maharaj who was supposed to attend the event failed to turned up. The state Director General of Police M A Ganapthay and other senior officers of police and ITBP turned up in special Yoga attire during the event and performed yoga exercises.