The 9th International Yoga Day was celebrated across Meghalaya today.
Governor Phagu Chauhan, officials and staff of Raj Bhavan participated in a yoga session at Raj Bhavan Shillong held under the guidance of experienced yoga instructors from the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy (NEIAH),.
The Health & Family Welfare Department and National AYUSH Mission, Meghalaya marked the occasion at the Community Hall, NEHU Campus.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh attended the session and highlighted the benefits of yoga in uplifting not only the physical but also the mental health of people. She said the government is committed to propagate the practice of Yoga because of its wide ranging benefits.
She encouraged every citizen of the state and also urged the nurses present in the programme to practice yoga in order to cope with their stressful duties and also suggested that there should be a dedicated room and yoga mats in every hospital of the state to enable the nurses and doctors to practice yoga in their place of work.
At the programme, the YSLife initiative (Yoga Simplified for Daily Life) which intends to demystify and popularize yoga was launched.
The Shillong Chapter of the Art of Living conducted a series of transformative yoga sessions across the state. Led by dedicated teachers and passionate volunteers, these sessions aimed to promote holistic well-being and foster a deeper understanding of the ancient practice of yoga.
Yoga sessions were conducted at NEEPCO, All India Radio, Shillong Airport, ICAR Research Complex Umroi, Assam Rifles (HQ) Laitkor, India Tourism (Incredible India) at Arabindo Ashram, Lumparing Community Hall, Shillong Cantonment Board, National Academy of Customs Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) Shillong, SOS Children’s Village Umroi, Bharat Petroleum Pvt Ltd Shillong and many other locations by the teachers and volunteers of the Art of Living.
Numerous events were conducted in the various educational institutes. More than 900 students took part in the yoga session at the Army Public School.
The Art of Living also conducted events at Seintyllilang Auditorium Hall Shangpung Pohshnong, Panaliar Jowai, Community Hall in West Jaintia Hills, Sri Sri Gyan Mandir in Garo Hills.
The highly skilled and experienced teachers of organisastion facilitated the yoga sessions, guiding participants through a variety of asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation practices.
In NEHU, there were 245 participants. Vice Chancellor Prof. P. S. Shukla said, “A healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy mind which has been proved by the practice of yoga since ancient times in India.”
The National Service Scheme Cell, North-Eastern Hill University also joined the celebration participated by volunteers from the seven states of the region, as the celebration coincides with the ongoing NSS Festival.
The Border Security Force Meghalaya frontier also held session at it’s headquarter and border outposts all along the Indo- Bangladesh Border.
BSF IG Pradip Kumar inaugurated the yoga session. On the eve of International Yoga Day, the BSF also held awareness programmes on benefits of yoga in its nearby civil areas by carrying out rally, displaying banners etc.
The Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (DBT-IBSD) conducted a session at its campus in Upper Shillong.
The NCC Cadets of NCC Group Headquarter Shillong began bright and early at Garrison Ground, Shillong. 300 NCC cadets from various colleges and institutions in and around Shillong enthusiastically took part in the program. Brig. Vijayant Mahadik, Group Commander, Officers and ANOs of NCC Shillong Group attended the event.
The Meghalaya State BJP celebrated the day at Gladden Tower in Nongpoh where party workers were educated about the purpose and benefits of practicing yoga.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shillong and Kendriya Vidyalaya Happy Valley, Shillong celebrated the day at the school premises with demonstration of Common Yoga Protocol. More than 1300 students of the school participated in the celebration, which started at 8 in the morning.
Central Bureau of Commission is also organising programmes across the country to achieve “Har Aangan Yoga” by engaging with the rural and remote areas.
An inter-houses quiz competition, drawing and painting competition and debate competitions were also organised for the students of the school as part of the celebrations.
At Nongstoiñ, the CBC’s Field Office held session at St Francis D’Assisi College.
The students of Women’s College Higher Secondary participated in a yoga session conducted by Senior Art of Living Yoga Coach Ashim Bhattacharjee.