India witnessed a grand celebration of International Yoga Day (IYD) on Wednesday, as citizens joined in with enthusiasm. From Leh in the North to Kanyakumari in the South, and Dwarka in the West to Tezu in the East, the event encompassed the entire nation.
President Droupadi Murmu led the occasion by performing yoga at Rashtrapati Bhavan, while Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar practiced yoga in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Reports flooded in about unique water yoga events held in Rajkot and Rameswaram, and the essence of yoga resonated at the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s Central Station and local trains with passengers inside a local train doing yoga. Notably, even Jammu & Kashmir’s Kaman Aman Setu, Raipur’s differently-abled community, and Kerala’s underwater Army personnel actively participated in the celebrations. This year’s theme for IYD is ‘Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which emphasises the significance of yoga for the well-being of all, fostering a sense of unity and the idea of ‘One World, One Family.’
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt-Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) urged people to incorporate regular yoga practice into their lifestyles, emphasising that yoga possesses remedies for various illnesses, brings peace of mind, instills self-discipline, and ensures physical and mental wellness. Echoing similar sentiments, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described yoga as India’s greatest gift to humanity, transcending religious and geographical boundaries to bring happiness to people’s lives.
The Indian Army said that paraplegics and amputees of the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre & Artificial Limb Centre in Pune actively participated in yoga activities to mark the day. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also joined. In Tamil Nadu Health Minister Subramanian, BJP state president K Annamalai, and numerous yoga enthusiasts took part in events held across different parts of the State. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari extended his greetings on IYD saying that yoga has gained recognition worldwide. Speaking at a Yoga Day program in his hometown Nagpur, Maharashtra, Gadkari emphasised that yoga has become India’s “soft power.”
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar urged people to make yoga an integral part of their lives, devoting at least half an hour every day to the practice. Addressing a gathering in Panipat, Khattar emphasised that “we can inspire others to embrace yoga when we ourselves practice it.” Similarly, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led a session with hundreds of participants at AIIMS in Delhi.
Similarly, Minister of State for Culture and Law Arjun Ram Meghwal led an invigorating yoga session at Nur Mahal Sarai in Jalandhar, while Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi conducted a captivating yoga session at Purana Qila in Delhi.
The National Cadet Corps celebrated the event with full zeal and enthusiasm, witnessing the participation of 11 lakh NCC cadets at various venues, including parks, open grounds, schools, and colleges throughout the country. The National Mission for Clean Ganga organised the ‘Ghat Par Yoga’ event at BSF Camp, Zero Pushta, Sonia Vihar in Delhi, along the banks of the River Yamuna. Over 600 people, including NGOs, Delhi Jal Board, Border Security Force, Ganga Task Force, volunteers from Ganga Vichar Manch, students, and children participated in the event.