Lucknow/Ghazipur: The 12th International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and mass participation across Ghazipur district, where thousands of citizens, public representatives, administrative officials, police personnel, and employees from various departments gathered to perform yoga under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The main district-level programme was held at the Police Lines Parade Ground, Ghazipur, witnessing a disciplined and vibrant gathering that reflected strong public engagement. The event was graced by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj, Minority Welfare, Muslim Waqf and Hajj Affairs, and National President of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Om Prakash Rajbhar, as the Chief Guest.
Prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included MLA Vedi Ram, Municipal Council Chairperson Sarita Agarwal, District Magistrate Anupam Shukla, Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja, BJP District President Om Prakash Rai, SBSP District President Surendra Rajbhar, along with several other public representatives and senior officials.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and floral tribute to the image of Lord Dhanvantari by the Chief Guest along with other dignitaries. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police welcomed the guests with bouquets.
Live telecasts of the national-level yoga events featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Jhansi were also screened on LED displays, during which participants listened to their motivational addresses highlighting the importance of yoga in daily life.
Yoga as a Way of Life
Addressing the gathering, Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar extended greetings on the occasion and said that yoga has become a nationwide movement, uniting people from villages to urban centers. He emphasized that those who incorporate yoga into their daily routine are able to maintain better health and remain free from diseases.
He further highlighted that just as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar united the nation through the Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a similar unity through International Yoga Day, inspiring participation from the grassroots level across India. He praised the vision of a self-reliant and developed India, calling collective participation in yoga a step toward achieving this goal.
He described yoga as not merely physical exercise but a complete lifestyle that harmonizes body, mind, and soul. Regular practice, he said, enhances physical fitness, reduces mental stress, improves positive thinking, and boosts self-confidence.
Leaders Emphasize Yoga’s Cultural Significance
MLA Vedi Ram stated that yoga is a priceless heritage of India’s ancient Rishi tradition, now embraced globally. He said that “Yoga for wellness, life for fitness” is not just a slogan but a guiding principle for a healthy life in today’s stressful environment.
MLA Ratanakar Mishra noted that yoga is a 5,000-year-old tradition that promotes balance between body and mind and encourages a positive lifestyle. He urged people to adopt yoga daily for better health and disease prevention.
Mass Participation Across the District
District officials informed that the programme was successfully organized not only at the district headquarters but also across all 7 tehsils, 16 development blocks, and all gram panchayats of Ghazipur district. Under the guidance of the “My Youth India” initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, youth volunteers also conducted yoga sessions in rural areas.
Yoga instructors Kumari Vijeta Pandey and Mukesh Yadav led a 45-minute mass yoga demonstration as per the standardized yoga protocol.
Conclusion
In his vote of thanks, District Development Officer Rajan Rai expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and departments involved in the successful execution of the programme.
The grand celebration in Ghazipur stood as a remarkable example of public participation and growing awareness of yoga, reaffirming the commitment toward building a healthy, disciplined, drug-free, and culturally enriched society under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
