Lucknow: On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, a grand yoga session was organized at the headquarters of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal graced the event as the Chief Guest. Senior BJP leader, former Organizing Secretary, and former Member of the Legislative Council, Jai Prakash Chaturvedi, was also present as a special guest.
The event commenced with traditional chanting and light warm-up exercises conducted by trained yoga instructors. This was followed by a guided yoga session where participants were taught various asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises). Instructors demonstrated poses such as Tadasana, Vajrasana, Bhujangasana, Anulom-Vilom, and Kapalbhati while also explaining their health benefits.
Among the notable attendees were Deputy Chairman of the Municipal Corporation Girish Gupta, Deputy Leader of the Councillor Group Sushil Tiwari ‘Pammi’, Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, Additional Municipal Commissioners Lalit Kumar and Namrata Singh, Dr. Arvind Kumar Rao, General Manager of Jal Kal Shri Kuldeep Singh, Chief Tax Assessment Officer Ashok Singh, along with various officers, staff members, elected councillors, and a large number of citizens.
In her address, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said, “Yoga is a priceless gift of our culture that not only ensures physical well-being but also provides mental peace and spiritual strength.” She urged all citizens to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and take proactive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
The Mayor also paid tribute to the visionary efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose leadership and initiative the United Nations declared 21st June as International Yoga Day starting in 2014. She remarked that this global recognition is a matter of great pride for India and reflects the cultural significance of yoga, which has now become a part of people’s lifestyles across the world.
Towards the end of the program, all participants collectively took a pledge to continue practicing yoga regularly and inspire those around them to do the same—thus contributing to the creation of a healthy, prosperous, and empowered India.
