AC Saxena
Bareilly: The 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great enthusiasm across Bareilly district, with the main district-level event held at the Sports Stadium where thousands of participants gathered to perform yoga and promote the message of healthy living and holistic wellness.
The programme began with the ceremonial welcome of chief guest Uttar Pradesh Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Shri Dharampal Singh, and Bareilly’s nodal officer and Principal Secretary, Shri Saurabh Babu. Several public representatives and senior officials, including Mayor Dr. Umesh Gautam, District Panchayat Chairperson Rashmi Patel, Member of Parliament Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, MLAs Dr. Raghvendra Sharma and Sanjeev Agarwal, and Chief Development Officer Devyani, were present on the occasion.
The dignitaries paid floral tributes to portraits of Lord Dhanvantari and Maharishi Patanjali before inaugurating the event with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp.
Participants then watched the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. Following the Prime Minister’s message, yoga instructor Nitya Sharma guided the gathering through the Common Yoga Protocol. The session included a series of yogic practices such as stretching exercises, Tadasana, Pawanmuktasana, Vajrasana, Sarvangasana, and various pranayama techniques, along with explanations of their health benefits.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Dharampal Singh highlighted the role of yoga in preventing diseases, promoting longevity, and improving overall well-being. He encouraged citizens to adopt yoga as a daily habit and expressed appreciation for national efforts that have transformed yoga into a global wellness movement.
District Panchayat Chairperson Rashmi Patel, MP Chhatrapal Singh Gangwar, and Principal Secretary Saurabh Babu also spoke on the significance of yoga in maintaining physical and mental health and urged people to integrate the practice into their everyday lives.
After the yoga session, winners of slogan-writing, yogasana, and painting competitions organised during Yoga Week were felicitated with certificates by the chief guest.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Manoj Kumar, while the yoga session was led by Nitya Sharma with support from a team of trained instructors. According to organisers, around 3,200 participants took part in the district-level yoga event.
Yoga programmes were also organised simultaneously at hospitals, gram panchayats, educational institutions, residential societies, and various public locations across the district, reflecting widespread community participation.
Expressing gratitude to all participants and organisers, District Magistrate Avinash Singh said that yoga, rooted in India’s ancient knowledge tradition, has evolved into a global movement that promotes balance, peace, and positivity. He noted that regular yoga practice helps improve immunity, reduce stress and anxiety, enhance concentration, and encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
Regional Ayurvedic and Unani Officer Dr. Ajay Pal Singh thanked all departments, organisations, and volunteers for their cooperation in making the event a success.
Several distinguished medical professionals and yoga contributors were honoured for their dedicated efforts in promoting yoga and wellness. The celebrations also received active support from institutions and organisations including Ganga Sheel Ayurvedic College, Future Ayurvedic College, Ek Goonj Seva Samiti, Brahma Kumaris, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Civil Defence, and NCC units.
The large-scale participation and coordinated efforts across the district underscored Bareilly’s commitment to spreading the message of health, harmony, and well-being through yoga.
