Lucknow: Marking the 12th International Yoga Day, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel participated in a mass yoga session alongside women participants at Jan Bhavan in Lucknow, promoting the message of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from women, government officials, employees, and representatives of various institutions.
A separate yoga session was also organized at the Jan Bhavan Adarsh Madhyamik Vidyalaya campus, where male officers and employees working at Jan Bhavan, along with representatives from different organizations, performed yoga exercises.
The programme featured a live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address and yoga session from Kolkata, where he joined thousands of participants in advocating a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Anandiben Patel said that International Yoga Day has evolved into a global movement over the past 12 years, with millions embracing yoga as an integral part of daily life. She noted that yoga, once primarily practiced by sages and spiritual leaders, is now being adopted by people of all ages, including children, youth, women, and senior citizens.
Highlighting the importance of women’s health, the Governor urged mothers and women to prioritize their well-being and incorporate yoga into their daily routine. She emphasized that children learn by observing their parents and that regular yoga practice by adults would inspire future generations to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Referring to this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” she said yoga is essential for maintaining an active and healthy life in old age. She also expressed concern over rising obesity among children and stressed the need to provide nutritious food and encourage healthy living habits. The Governor appreciated yoga guru Baba Ramdev for his contribution to promoting yoga and healthy living.
In a significant announcement, she directed the Department of Women and Child Development to transform every Anganwadi centre into a “Garbh Sanskar Kendra” (prenatal care and guidance centre). She called for comprehensive support to pregnant women, including nutritional guidance, healthcare awareness, positive behavioral practices, educational resources, and timely medical intervention throughout pregnancy with the support of NGOs and family members.
Describing health as the greatest wealth, the Governor said Jan Bhavan is being developed as a centre for wellness, yoga, environmental awareness, culture, and public welfare. She highlighted that regular yoga sessions, exercise programmes, and health-focused activities are now a part of daily life at the complex, benefiting both residents and visiting citizens. More than 150,000 visitors reportedly visit Jan Bhavan annually.
The Governor also shared details of ongoing health initiatives at Jan Bhavan. She said 636 officers and employees have undergone Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments through regular health screening programmes. Advanced body composition analysis equipment has been installed to monitor overall health indicators, including body fat, water, protein, and mineral levels.
She noted that the Ananda Physiotherapy and Treatment Centre, established at Jan Bhavan in November 2025, has already provided healthcare services to 88 staff members. The facility offers treatment for joint pain, obesity management, digestive disorders, and posture-related issues using modern equipment and techniques.
Speaking about social outreach programmes, the Governor said Jan Bhavan organizes annual cycling rallies to promote a drug-free society. More than 300 officers and employees recently undertook a 464-kilometre cycling expedition covering districts such as Barabanki, Lucknow, Rae Bareli, and Unnao, combining the initiative with environmental awareness campaigns, plantation drives, cleanliness programmes, and health camps.
She further highlighted the organization of over 19 traditional sports events annually at Jan Bhavan, attracting more than 500 participants, including employees, family members, and children. Special sports activities are also arranged for children who have left begging and are being integrated into mainstream society.
The Governor pointed out that nearly 12,000 saplings have been planted in three phases using the Miyawaki method within the Jan Bhavan campus, strengthening biodiversity and environmental conservation efforts. She stressed that Indian culture views health, spirituality, and nature as interconnected, with yoga serving as a bridge between individuals, society, and the environment.
She also revealed plans to develop a symbolic replica of the sacred journey from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar within Jan Bhavan, incorporating representations of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, along with a musical fountain inspired by Lord Shiva’s damru.
Emphasizing yoga’s transformative power, the Governor said yoga helps individuals move from negativity to creativity and from carelessness to a state of inner fulfillment. “Yoga should not be confined to a single-day celebration. It must become a lifestyle and a cultural value,” she said, adding that yoga provides guidance from childhood through old age and contributes to building a healthy, capable, and developed India.
“Where there is yoga, there is health; where there is health, there is happiness; and where there is happiness, there is true prosperity,” she remarked, urging citizens to embrace yoga as a lifelong practice rather than a ceremonial event.
The programme witnessed participation from around 1,150 women and 200 men, including wives of Indian Army officers and ex-servicemen, members of Lions Club, Inner Wheel, Red Cross, Brahma Kumaris, Akanksha, Ayush institutions, state universities in Lucknow, and women residing or working at Jan Bhavan.
Also addressing the gathering, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Higher Education Rajni Tiwari extended greetings on International Yoga Day and said yoga is an inseparable part of India’s rich cultural heritage. She credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with giving International Yoga Day a global platform and urged citizens to practice yoga throughout the year rather than limiting it to a single day of observance.
