Mega functions held across Kashmir to celebrate ‘International Day of Yoga -2023’

District heads lead the Yoga sessions

SRINAGAR, June 21: Mega functions were held across all the districts of Kashmir on the eve of ninth edition of ‘International Day of Yoga’-2023 (IDY), to commemorate the day and raise awareness of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioners, other officers and officials besides youth, students and public were seen performing yoga during symbolic yoga sessions in all the districts of Kashmir.

The theme of this year’s IDY is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which emphasizes the idea that all living beings on Earth are one big family.

Yoga has been beneficial in keeping the body and mind in sound health. A holistic approach, Yoga targets all the different systems of the body and mind. It is said that the asanas make the body strong and flexible, as health improves; the mind too is renewed with confidence.

At Baramulla, the District Administration Baramulla in collaboration with District Youth Services and Sports Department, Education Department and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan organised a main function at Government High School Deewanbagh in which a large number of school children participated.

The function was attended by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar as the chief guest while the other dignitaries of concerned departments were also present.

On the occasion, a variety of Yoga activities were performed by the students which gained quite applause from the audience.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest highlighted the importance of celebrating Yoga day and said that Yoga helps on all aspects of a person, including physical, mental, psychic, and spiritual levels.

Further highlighting the importance of Yoga in the lives of people, Dr Sehrish said that through physical and mental discipline, Yoga helps to achieve a peaceful body and mind and facilitates managing stress and anxiety. She urged people in general and students in particular to imbibe Yoga in their daily routine so as to maintain their mental and physical well being.

Meanwhile, a similar function was also organised at Indoor Sports Stadium Baramulla wherein students in large numbers besides officers of all departments showed their enthusiastic participation. 

A series of Yoga activities were also showcased by the students during the function organized across all the educational institutions of the district.

At Anantnag, on the occasion of International Yoga Day, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, SF Hamid along with students, participated in a grand event organized at Ramakrishna Mahasammelan Ashram – Vivekananda Kendra (SRMA-VK) in Nagdandi, Anantnag.

The event was organized by the District Administration in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services & Sports, School Education Department and the Department of Tourism.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from students who eagerly engaged in various yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques under the guidance of experienced yoga instructors.

The serene surroundings of SRMA-VK provided an ideal backdrop for this celebration of wellness. Surrounded by the lush greenery and breathtaking beauty of Anantnag, participants immersed themselves in the practice of yoga, harnessing its numerous benefits for the body and mind.

Speaking on the occasion, DC highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into our daily lives and emphasized its positive impact on overall health and well-being. He encouraged everyone to make yoga a regular part of their lives and reap its holistic benefits.

The event served as a platform to raise awareness about the benefits of yoga, encouraging individuals to adopt it as an integral part of their routines. Participants learned about the importance of physical fitness, mental clarity, and the ability to effectively cope with stress through regular practice.

The event concluded with a sense of accomplishment and renewed determination to continue the practice of yoga for personal and collective well-being.

At Ganderbal, the District Administration Ganderbal today celebrated International Yoga Day, 2023 in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services and Sports and Govt. College of Physical Education (GCPE) Gadoora Ganderbal within the GCPE campus.

In this mega event, the participants included from various Departments including ISM&H (AYUSH), District Legal Services Authority, and Students of GCPE Gadoora Ganderbal along with staff and the students from various schools of Ganderbal. The event witnessed a very sound number of participants.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Shyambir who was the chief guest at the event highlighted the essence of Yoga in our day to day life and praised the efforts that were being made by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Ganderbal.

Additional District Development Commissioner Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, and Principal Govt. Physical College of Physical Education, Hartej Singh also participated in the event.

Instructors made Participants aware about the benefits of Yoga and said that Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. Yoga helps in physical development and mental relaxation as well as development of strength, flexibility and immunity. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature.

Moreover, International Yoga Day was also celebrated in other blocks of the district including at all the schools of District Ganderbal.

Meanwhile, the tourism department celebrated today’s Yoga event at Naranag Ganderbal.

At Pulwama, the District Administration Pulwama in collaboration with Department of AYUSH and Youth Services and Sports Department Pulwama today organized a Yoga session on eve of ‘International Yoga Day’ at Pulwama.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, District officers, Students, employees and public performed Yoga Asanas at New Hockey Turf Stadium, Chatpora, Pulwama.

Speaking on the occasion, DC said that Yoga is an internationally acclaimed practice and its primary goal is to keep our body and mind healthy and fit. People who are mentally and physically healthy are very strong psychologically and they have a strong will power which leads to spread of Positivity and overall well being of the Society.

He added that the different Asanas are effective in coordinating the sense organs and results in better health outcomes.

Earlier, the Department of AYUSH imparted the awareness of the yoga day to the general public and urged them to connect with the programme for performing Yoga Asanas.

Yoga day was also observed at Sub District Tral and Awantipora and across the Tehsils and block of the District in which yoga enthusiasts participated with zeal and fervor.

At Kulgam: International Yoga Day was celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm at several places across the district with a mega function held at Mini Secretariat Kulgam.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam Dr.Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, officers, officials and students in large numbers participated in this grand event which was organized by line departments of District Administration.

During the Yoga sessions, Yoga instructors from the Department of Ayush Kulgam demonstrated various Yoga Asanas which were followed by the participants.

Participants were also apprised about various Yoga Asanas which they can do on a daily basis to stay fit and healthy.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that Yoga helps on all aspects of a person, including physical, mental, psychological levels and is beneficial to stay fit and healthy.

Yoga is a way to bring body and mind together for mental and physical fitness, he added.

ADDC, Showkat Ahmad Rather,ACD, Viqar Ahmed Giri, various district officers, officials, students, and citizens also participated in the event in large numbers.

At Shopian, the International Yoga Day-2023 was celebrated today with great enthusiasm and fervour at various places across the district.

The main function was held within the premises of Mini-Secretariat Shopian and led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb.

SSP, Shopian Tanushree, various district officers, officials, scores of students and general public participated in theYoga activities at the main function.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that Yoga is not merely a physical exercise but Yoga works on all aspects of a person’s development and emphasised upon the importance and need of practicing Yoga to stay fit and healthy.

The gathering was informed about the benefits of yoga asanas on the occasion by trainers, and participants performed Yoga asanas under the guidance of a Yoga Instructor.

The yogic drill included yogic jogging, several forms of pranayama, tadasana, vriksasana, padahastasana, ardha chakrasana etc.

Yoga events were also held at many other institutions including at District Court Complex, Shopian.

At Bandipora, International Yoga Day was celebrated with full enthusiasm across Bandipora district on Wednesday, with special yoga sessions organized in government offices, playgrounds, and educational institutions.

The main function was organised at Mini-Secretariat Bandipora, where a special yoga session was held with Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Bandipora, Ali Afsar Khan ensuring his presence.

The session was also attended by Nodal Officer Ayush, DySP Mohammad Shafat, Deputy CEO Mohammad Rafiq, and a proficient yoga trainer who led various asanas of yoga.

Speaking on the occasion, ADDC explained this year’s Yoga Day theme, “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” emphasizing the importance of yoga in alleviating people’s sufferings.

He highlighted how yoga contributes to maintaining both physical and mental health. He said this year’s theme beautifully captures our shared aspiration for “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.”

ADDC said the International Yoga Day celebrations in Bandipora district showcased the people’s interest and acknowledgment of the benefits of yoga. “By incorporating yoga into their lives, individuals are fostering overall well-being and contributing to a healthier and more peaceful society”, he added.

The participants enthusiastically pledged to incorporate yoga into their daily lives.

Similar yoga sessions were conducted throughout the district in various educational institutions and government offices. Notably, Wullar Vantage Park and Dawar Stadium in Gurez Valley witnessed large gatherings of students, government officials, and local residents who actively participated in the sessions.

At Kupwara, International Yoga Day was celebrated at various places in Kupwara district with great enthusiasm witnessing active participation of hundreds of persons including civilians, Officers of district administration, Officials, NCC Cadets and students in yoga sessions.

Main Yoga function was held at Govt. Degree College Kupwara where Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kupwara, Gh. Nabi Bhat was the chief guest.

Yoga Day was also celebrated at Government Degree College Handwara, Women’s Degree College Kupwara, Government Higher secondary school Teetwal and several other educational institutions and government establishments of the district.

Yoga day in the district was organised by the District Youth Service & Sports Department in collaboration with Ayush Department Kupwara.

On the occasion students were educated about the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga to foster a healthier and more balanced society by promoting the regular practice of yoga.

At Budgam, International Yoga day was today celebrated with full spirit and zeal in Budgam district.

The main function was organized at Sports Stadium Budgam in which Officers of District Administration, students of various institutions of Budgam, and people from different walks of life participated.

The function was organized by District Administration in collaboration with the Department of Ayush Budgam, District Youth Services and Sports, School Education department Budgam and Nehru Yuwa Kendra Budgam.

The function was attended by Chief Medical Officer Budgam Mohd.Ayoub as the chief guest and other dignitaries of concerned departments.

On the occasion, a variety of Yoga activities were performed by the students which gained quiet applause from the audience.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest highlighted the importance of celebrating Yoga day and said that Yoga helps on all aspects of a person, including physical, mental, psychic, and spiritual levels. He said, Yoga means addition – addition to one’s beauty of body, mind and soul.

Further highlighting the importance of Yoga in the lives of people, CMO said that through physical and mental discipline, Yoga helps to achieve a peaceful body and mind and facilitates managing stress and anxiety.

The program concluded with the vote of thanks by District Ayush Officer Budgam who briefed the role of Ayush Health and Wellness Centers in promoting Yoga and other means of Wellness and urged people to avail such facilities on these centers.