International Yoga Day Celebrated Across 132,000 Government Schools and 746 Residential Girls’ Schools
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh witnessed one of the largest educational participation drives on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga, as more than 14.2 million students from government-run schools and over 78,000 girls studying in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) took part in yoga sessions held across the state.
The large-scale observance reflected the growing emphasis on wellness, fitness, and healthy living among schoolchildren. Yoga programmes were organized in approximately 132,000 council schools and 746 KGBVs, bringing together students, teachers, education staff, parents, and local communities in a collective effort to promote physical and mental well-being.
From rural villages to urban centres, school campuses transformed into spaces dedicated to health and mindfulness. Participants performed a range of yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation practices while pledging to adopt healthier lifestyles and make yoga a regular part of their daily routines.
The state has consistently encouraged the integration of yoga into educational and community activities, helping transform International Day of Yoga into a broad public movement rather than a symbolic annual event. This year’s celebrations were marked by enthusiastic participation at schools, Block Resource Centres, district headquarters, and various educational institutions throughout Uttar Pradesh.
A major yoga session was also held at the new campus of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), where officials, educators, and staff members participated in collective yoga practice and reaffirmed their commitment to healthy living.
Speaking on the occasion, Ganesh Kumar, Director of SCERT, highlighted the importance of yoga in the holistic development of children. He described yoga as a valuable component of India’s cultural heritage that contributes not only to physical fitness but also to mental focus, self-discipline, emotional balance, and confidence. He emphasized that introducing yoga at an early age can help nurture responsible, healthy, and well-rounded individuals.
Yoga Day activities were conducted across numerous districts, including Lucknow, Noida, Kanpur, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, Basti, Meerut, Kushinagar, Aligarh and Azamgarh. Teachers and instructors used the opportunity to educate students about the benefits of yoga in maintaining physical health, reducing stress, and improving concentration.
Education officials noted that alongside academic achievement, the physical and emotional development of students remains a key priority. As a result, schools continue to promote yoga, sports, and health-related activities as essential components of a balanced education system.
The remarkable participation recorded on International Day of Yoga 2026 underscores the growing acceptance of yoga among young people and communities across Uttar Pradesh. The event reinforced the message that yoga is not merely an annual observance but a practical pathway to healthier living, greater self-discipline, improved concentration, and positive thinking.
