CM leads Yoga session at Banbasa
Garhwal Post Bureau
Banbasa, 21 Jun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami joined thousands of yoga practitioners, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, students, youth, women and senior citizens in a collective yoga session at the state‑level programme organised on the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day here today. Extending greetings to the people of Uttarakhand on the occasion, he described yoga as the foundation of a healthy and balanced life and urged everyone to make it an integral part of their daily routine. He said it is a matter of joy and pride to practice yoga with the local community on the sacred land of Maa Sharda and expressed gratitude to all trainers, practitioners and organisers for their contribution to the success of the event.
The CM emphasised that yoga is not merely physical exercise but it is a way of life that harmonises mind, body and soul. He said yoga provides stability to the mind and guides individuals towards a positive, balanced and successful life. At a time when stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyles pose serious challenges, yoga serves as an effective natural therapy. He added that regular practice of yoga and pranayama strengthens immunity, enhances mental concentration and infuses positive energy into life. He noted that yoga has united humanity across the world and spread the Indian cultural messages of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah’ globally.
He added that, through the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day has gained worldwide recognition and today millions of people in over 190 countries are connected with yoga.
Reminding that Uttarakhand is the land of ancient traditions of yoga, spirituality and meditation, Dhami claimed that the state government is committed to establishing the state as the global capital of yoga and wellness. He said the country’s first yoga policy has been implemented in the state, under which subsidies up to Rs 20 lakhs are being provided for setting up yoga and meditation centres and grants up to Rs 10 lakhs are available to encourage research and study in yoga, meditation and naturopathy. Five new yoga hubs are being developed and yoga services are being ensured at all Ayush health and wellness centres. He added that the organisation of the state‑level Yoga Day programme at Banbasa aims to promote yoga and spiritual practice along the banks of the Sharda River. The CM also asserted that the government is working to give the region a new identity in spiritual and tourism development through the Sharda Corridor project, being developed at a cost of about Rs 3300 crores. He added that the project includes the Sharda riverfront from Tanakpur to Banbasa along with the development of various religious and tourist sites. In the first phase, redevelopment of Sharda Ghat has already commenced at a cost of Rs 179 crore.
On the occasion, the CM also made a special appeal to the youth not to confine yoga to a single day but to adopt it as a part of daily life and to stay away from addictions, embracing a healthy, disciplined and positive lifestyle. He expressed confidence that the people of Uttarakhand will actively contribute to realising the vision of making the state a global centre of yoga. Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister and District In‑charge Bharat Chaudhary, District Panchayat Chairperson Anand Singh Adhikari, Chief Minister’s Secretary and Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, Ayush Secretary Ranjana Rajguru, Kumaon IG Nivedita Kukreti, Champawat District Magistrate Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, Udham Singh Nagar District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati, Chief Development Officer GS Khati along with other public representatives and officials.
