New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) Millions of Indians on Tuesday morning stretched and twisted their bodies and performed breathing exercises to celebrate the second International Yoga Day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chandigarh urging people to delink the ancient Indian practice from their religious beliefs.
"Yoga is not a religious activity. Many people do not understand yoga completely. It is not what you will get from yoga, but what is important is what you will give to yoga and what all (ailments) will it rid you off," he said early in the morning in a nearly 30-minute speech before the yoga session.
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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) performs yoga during World Yoga Day in Chandigarh, June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ajay Verma[/caption]
Yoga, the prime minister said, could give "health assurance at zero budget" and it should be made a part of everyone's daily life for peace and harmony.
Mass yoga events were held in schools, public places, lawns of residential localities and office complexes across thousands of Indian villages, cities, and towns -- from the deserts of Rajasthan to eastern planes and from the Himalayan heights to high seas -- on naval warships -- down south. The celebrations of the day and yoga performances even went high up in the sky at 35,000 feet above Earth on some morning flights.
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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) performs yoga during World Yoga Day in Chandigarh, June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Ajay Verma[/caption]
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Participants perform yoga during World Yoga Day in Srinagar June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Danish Ismail[/caption]
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Participants perform yoga during World Yoga Day in Ahmedabad, June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Amit Dave[/caption]
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Participants perform yoga during World Yoga Day in Allahabad, June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash[/caption]
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Participants perform yoga during World Yoga Day on a seafront promenade in Mumbai, June 21, 2016. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade[/caption]
Modi, in a white T-shirt and a payjama with a stole around his neck, led from the front in Chandigarh's Capitol Complex. Stretching on a mat and staring at the overcast Chandigarh skies, he himself performed the asanas among the crowd of over 30,000 yoga enthusiasts.
"Yoga binds body, mind, intelligence and soul. It provides a balance to mind and body. Anyone can do it anywhere," said Modi, a keen yoga enthusiast on whose proposal the UN marked June 21 to be celebrated as the International Yoga Day every year.
In the run-up to the celebrations, the government had created a huge hype to popularize the event, asking people to organise ceremonies for mass participations.
In Delhi, as the morning sun broke through the overnight clouds, tens of thousands of its residents performed asanas. Over 10,000 people gathered at Central Park in the heart of Connaught Place and the circular road around it, making it one of the largest yoga events in the city.
It rained heavily in Mumbai but that did not deter lakhs of school and college students and men and women of all ages from doing yoga exercises in many parts of the city and suburbs.
The Indian Navy in Mumbai completed a three-week long capsule to train 25 personnel and popularise yoga among thousands of its sailors and civilians while over 2,000 took part in a yoga programme at Kohli Grounds.
Tamil Nadu capital Chennai also saw thousands of people performing yoga. The navy marked the day with its officers and personnel performing yoga on INS Adyar.
And it wasn't just the metro cities.
In Jammu and Kashmir, scores performed yoga exercises and the main function was held at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu. Similar functions were held in Srinagar and Leh and Kargil towns of the Ladakh region.
In Himachal Pradesh, the day was observed amid cloudy conditions and yet thousands did asanas in hundreds of camps across the state.
In Left-ruled Kerala, the day sparked a controversy as Health Minister K.K. Shailaja was irked by Sanskrit kirtans rendered at an event. She pointed out that yoga doesn't belong to any particular religion and is also practised by atheists.
Celebrations were also held in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and northeastern states.
High up in the sky, budget airline SpiceJet conducted practice sessions on all its two-hour morning flights. It was a special 10-minute 'Upa-Yoga' onboard capsule for its passengers and crew. The participants performed while seated. The special asanas are believed to help activate joints, muscles and energy systems to overcome jetlag, fear of flying and breathing difficulties.
Yoga is a science: Nagaland Governor
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 21
Over 1300 people today joined the Nagaland state level function of 2nd International Day of Yoga here at Indira Gandhi Stadium in the presence of Nagaland’s governor P.B. Acharya to spread the message and importance of Yoga.
Acharya was accompanied by MPs Prahlad Singh Patel, Ram Narain Dudi, Mahindra Singh, Dr Yashwant Singh, Ram Narain Dudi along with Dr. Neikesalie Kire, Minister of Forest Environment and Climate Change, Khriehu Liezietsu, Parliamentary Secretary Youth Resources & Sports, Er. Levi Rengma, Parliamentary Secretary Works & Housing, A.K shah, Director Lokh Sabha Secretariat, R. Benchilo Thong, Addl. Chief Secretary and a host of top government officials of the state.
Later, interacting with media persons, Acharya stated that Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition, which helps in balancing of mind; body through an action while at the same time also assists in changing one’s life style and creating consciousness. He also added that Yoga has nothing to do with religion and maintain that it is a science and an exercise to keep our body fit.
Governor P.B. Acharya and Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang in a joint message handed out to the media today stated that adopting Yoga as a way of life creates foundation for a healthy life.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative for observing the International Day of Yoga, it has become immensely popular in the international arena. “The entire global fraternity has now developed a keen interest in discovering the scientific essence of Yoga and adopting it for a healthy life,” the message read.
Stating that steps have been taken in the state of Nagaland too for celebrating the day along with the rest of the country at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, the message stated “My government will take all endeavors to carry the message of Yoga in every parts of the state.”
Senior citizens and students from different schools and colleges joined the programme. Organized by Directorate of Youth Resources & Sports Nagaland in collaboration with National Cadet Corps (NCC) Kohima, National Service Scheme (NSS) Nagaland Bharat Scouts & Guides (NBS&G) Kohima, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) Kohima and Patanjali Yog Samity (PYS), the Yoga exercise started from 7am till 8am.
A brief report on the 2nd International Day of Yoga in Nagaland from Zonal Director, NYKS Nagaland Zone informed that there was a total of 2321 participants in the eleven districts of Nagaland.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland unit also observed International Day of Yoga at Brahma Kumaris Centre, Kohima. State BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu exhorted the people to adopt Yoga as a way of life for healthy living. He also stated that Yoga has become immensely popular in the international arena, which is also the pride of India.
Amongst the leaders, Eduzu, general secretary BJP Nagaland, Vizopal Chaya DAC convenor, Vineizo Tsiirho ST Morcha president, Thomas Magh president Minority Morcha and a host of party workers attended the programme, according to Vidilhoulie Theiinuo, president BJP Kohima district.
