Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ayush Ministry for selecting Ranchi for fifth edition of International Yoga Day function. Das said that it is proud moment for Jharkhand that the land of Birsa Munda has got new identity after the city successfully hosted International Yoga Day.
Das said, “Jharkhand has old association with Yoga. Tribal communities such as Santhali, Ho, Munda and other tribal groups in their religious/ cultural and day to day activities practice Yoga. Imprints of Yoga can be seen at tribal festivals such as Karma, Sarhul and other social gathering too.”
The CM on the occasion also highlighted the role of various Yoga institutes imparting Yoga training. He said, “Various institutions are working in promotion and development of Yoga. Ramakrishna Mission, Rikhiapeeth Ashram (Deoghar) and Yogda Ashram (Ranchi) are some of the institutions which are working in promotion of Yoga.” The CM said that in Jharkhand there are 340 Yoga institutes which are imparting Yoga training also the Government is working on setting up 100 more Yoga centres in State. The CM emphasized on setting up Yoga centres at district and panchayats level. He said that Yoga is education and the contribution goes to PM for connecting Yoga to masses.
Also speaking on the occasion, Ayush Minister Shripad Naik said that Government is committed for promotion of Yoga and in this connection the Ayush ministry has joined hands with HRD ministry for inclusion of Yoga in school syllabus.
Naik said, “This is for the first time that a separate ministry has been set up for promoting Yoga. The work of Ayush ministry is focused on wellness rather than illness.”
Meanwhile, the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for Yoga day. Around 35,000 people including school children from 28 Government as well private schools participated at the Yoga Day function. As participants included school going children, college going students, government officials, businessmen and army personnel, there were separate entry points for participants. Food packets, water bottles, and Yoga mats were provided to each participant.
The venue was designed in such a way that participants can see PM performing various Yoga Asanas. Also around 100 large screens were installed at various points so that participants can perform Yoga Asanas seeing the main instructor.
For security arrangements, around 4000 police personnel along with magistrates were deployed in the ground. 100 CCTV cameras were installed for security surveillance.
The participants attending the Yoga session were happy with the Government initiative and preparations. Sarfaraz Ahmad, a businessmen and resident of Fatahullah Road said, “The Government initiative for celebrating Yoga Day is good effort. Yoga is an age old exercise to keep body and mind healthy and peaceful. It should not be linked with any religion.”
Echoing the views of Sarfaraz Ahmad, another Yoga participant MU Khan said, “Muslim who practices five times Namaz (prayers) daily indirectly also performs Yoga as various postures of Namaz and Yoga are same.”Prior to International Yoga Day celebration in Ranchi, Yoga day celebration has been held in Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Dehradun.