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STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Early morning rains followed by scorching heat did not dampen the spirit of people in Jammu as they gathered in large numbers to perform Aasans to mark the first International Yoga Day.
Around 1,500 people assembled at the Gulshan Ground here to participate in a yoga session which was attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Speaking to reporters, Singh denied opposition charges that the NDA Government was using Yoga for politics.
“There is nothing political about yoga. But yes if politics benefits an individual then such type of politics must be performed daily,” he said.
Participating at the event, Surinder Singh, a resident of RS Pura, said, “Everyday must be a Yoga Day as it benefits our health. I feel proud that our Prime Minister has made this as a global event… Thanks to him that Yoga is now a global phenomenon.”
South Kashmir resident Tauqeer Ahmed, who travelled all the way to Jammu to participate in the event, said Yoga united people irrespective of their caste or religion.
“I perform Yoga at home and my children also follow me. I wanted to be part of this day so I came all the way from Kashmir to Jammu to take part,” the Anantnag resident said.
“While there were many things in the world that divide people, there are only a handful of things that unite us. Yoga unites people irrespective of caste or religion,” he said, adding, the ancient science had nothing to do with religion.
Furqan Ahmed, a resident of Baramulla town of North Kashmir who is currently studying law in Jammu, said he came to participate in the event just out of curiosity.
“I had never performed Yoga in my life, it was out of sheer curiosity and believe me, I performed few Aasans and I feel very much relaxed,” he said.
“I performed Yoga as an exercise and anything that benefits my body and soul must be done regularly,” he said, adding that yoga must be taught in schools as well.
Various other yoga programmes were also held across the district to mark the occasion.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that observing of International Yoga Day marks an universal acknowledgment of the virtues of Yoga and lauded the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking yoga to the United Nations and giving it an international status.
While highlighting the importance of Yoga for healthy mind and body Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said that Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition and it embodies unity of mind and body.
Similarly, inmates and staffers of a Jail here celebrated the International Yoga Day by practicing it in the premises.
Yoga expert V.P Kotwal and Art of Living members Lalit Gupta and Jayshree Kotwal demonstrated various Yogasnas in Kot Bhalwal jail to the inmates and the staffers.
Explaining yogic Aasans relevant in combating lifestyle diseases the experts said only yoga can make people’s life easy and disease-free.
The inmates and the staff practiced yoga and appreciated the move of organizing the event in the premises. The inmates also said that it helped them to relax and relieve stress.
Kotwal stressed upon the participants to practice yoga for mental health.
“Surya Namaskar, Pranayam and Anulom-Vilom Pranayam were practiced during the session,” a jail official said.
Jail Superintendent, Dinesh Sharma spoke on the importance of performing yoga.
The International Day of Yoga was celebrated at CRPF Camp, J and K Zone Headquarters Bantalab here in which about 100 officers and men participated. Yoga session was started from 15th June 2015 in which various yoga exercises were practiced.
IGP, J&K Zone HQ, Pankaj Kumar briefed the participants about the importance of Yoga in daily life as it bestows health benefits and helps in inculcating self discipline which is very important for the force personnel leading stressful life due to their continuous deployment in countering various terrorists and internal security related duties. Participants were advised to perform Yoga exercises daily to lead stress free life and remain physically and mentally fit.
On this occasion DIG Sandeep Gokel and other officers of J and K Zone were also present.
Meanwhile, on the International Yoga Day, Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, Jawans and Airmen stationed in and around Jammu performed Yoga at respective locations under supervision of trained Yoga instructors in the early hours.
Yoga capsules were conducted under the supervision of qualified army instructors and civil Yoga teachers at various places of Jammu region.
In Nagrota Garrison, all ranks performed the Yoga. Motivational lecture highlighting the importance of Yoga in leading a stress-free lifestyle was also delivered. Lt Gen K.H Singh, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps was also present.
In Satwari, Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of Tiger Division and its units performed the Yoga at Helipad Ground, Satwari. Maj Gen Sanjeev Narain, General Officer Commanding, Tiger Division was in attendance.
In Akhnoor, Sunderbani, Pallanwala, Jourian and forward posts along the Line of Control, under Crossed Swords Division, the officers, troops and their families performed the Yoga.
At Air Force Station Jammu, 250 Air Force Personnel carried out Yoga for two hours. In the evening, an equal number of air force personnel including families and children performed Yoga at Yog Sansthan, Talab Tillo, Jammu.
In order to recognized the significance of yoga, Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu Region in association with Aaradhaya Yoga Trust, Nirvana Academy and other organisations celebrated INDYA (International Day of Yoga) with demonstration of yogic postures and practice with a theme of ‘Yoga For Harmony and Peace’ at Peer Kho Park, Circular Road, Jammu.
R.C Puri, Honourary Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu Region highlighted the importance of Yoga and said that it is not only an art but it is a science also which can prevent the society from many diseases and connect people with nature.
Mahant Ravi Nath, Vipin, Jagdish Raj Shastri, Brig M.M Harjai, Sita Ram Sharma, Dinesh Gupta, executive members of Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu Region, Aushutosh and Neelam, Coordinator of Sehaj Yog were also present.
International Yoga Day was observed at Government High School Raipur Satwari Jammu in which hundreds of youth from the youth clubs/ Mahila Mandals of district Jammu and Samba participated. Nehru Yuva Kendra Jammu in collaboration with Bhartiaya Kala Sangam organised this youth convention with an aim to make the youth physically and mentally fit.
The yoga practice and the lecture for the benefits of Yoga were delivered by the experts of Ayush and Bhartiaya Shikha Samiti Jammu. Nehru Yuva Kendra organised Yoga practice camp at 399 village youth clubs in different villages of Jammu and Samba.
Sham Sunder Kashyap, Deputy Director Nehru Yuva Kendra, Jammu welcomed Aditi Sharma, Senior BJP leader, Shobba Ram, Director (Retd) Hospitality and Protocol, J and K, Shamsher Singh, senior PDP leader, Rajinder Singh Chib senior BJP leader, T.R Sharma and Amarjeet Singh, Yog Guru.
Ramesh Singh Chib, Director Bhartiaya Kala Sangam presented the vote of thanks.
A Yoga camp was organised in Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha Parade in which not only the members of Brahman Community but also from the other community in large number participated under the guidance of Devkinandan Pangotra.
V.P Sharma, P.C Sharma Advocate, Jagan Nath Sharma, Rishi Prashar, Subash Shastri, Gurdas Sharma, Kuldeep Modi, Girdhari Lal, Ramesh Sharma, Mohan Lal Sharma, Sat Pal Sharma, Kartar Chand, Nitin Dharmat, Shanti Saroop Baru, Balwant Singh Sarpanch, Swarn Singh, Sohan Lal, Pritam Chand, Chander Shekhar and Panch Om Parkash Sharma were also present.
Central University of Jammu celebrated Yoga Day at the Temporary Academic Block (TAB), Sainik Colony, Jammu.
Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu, in his address said that Yoga plays an important role in today’s stressful life. “There is need to live holistic life free from stress and this is possible only if we take recourse to Yoga. Yoga is a scientific way to distress our body and soul in the present stressful life”, he added.
Former Director of Yoga Centre, University of Jammu, (Retd) Dr. D.L Choudhary, in his address said that Yoga is beneficial for good health and can be used to cure many dreadful diseases without spending a penny.
Yoga Instructor, Sanay Kumar Asim gave live demonstration of Yoga and was instrumental in making all the participants to perform Yoga practically and made people to realise the importance of Yoga techniques. Earlier the Registrar, Jit Singh gave welcome address.
Among those who were present on the occasion include Prof Devanand, Prof. Deepak Raj Gupta besides faculty and staff members. The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr Bharti Gupta and vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Neelika Arora and the Coordinator of the programme was Dr. Pavinder Singh.
The World Yoga Day was also celebrated at Helipad Kargil, Play Ground of High School Baroo Kargil and Inqilab Manzil Kargil.
By practicing a few minutes of Pranayama (breathing techniques), gentle Aasans (postures) and meditation, many of the soldiers have testified to the physical and mental benefits. Around 5000 officers, junior commissioned officers and Jawans participated in the Asanas at Helipad Kargil.
1st J and K Independent Company NNC Leh, Kargil Dett organised Yoga Asana on the first International Day of Yoga at High School Baroo Kargil.
The function was inaugurated by the Chief Guests on the occasion District Youth Service and Sports Officer Kargil, Mohammad Hussain Rehnuma and Head Master Government High School Baroo Kargil.
The Chief Instructor of the day was Mohammad Hussain, Yoga Teacher, and Physical Teacher Government High School Shimsha Kharboo.
MoS for Education, Priya Sethi and senior BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi inaugurated mass Yoga Camp at GGM Science College organised by the NCC 2nd Boys Battalion as part of celebrations on the occasion of first International Yoga Day.
Over 3000 NCC cadets along with 50 Associate NCC officers attended the camp.
Among those who were present on the occasion include Commanding Officer Lt. Col Manisha SRS, Group Commander Jammu Group Brigadier Rajan Jamwal and Govind Sharma. The NCC has organised largest ever demonstration by ‘Men in uniform’ on a single day at different locations in the country.
To celebrate first International Yoga Day, Art of Living Foundation organised a one day Yoga camp in Government College for Women Parade Ground.
MoS for Education, Priya Sethi, MLA Sat Sharma and Senior BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi were present on the occasion. Among others the event was attended by Director School Education, Jammu Yasha Mudgal, Principal, GCW Parade Hemla Aggarwal, Chief Education Officer, Jammu Joginder Sudan and Assistant Vice- Chairman, J and K Bank Raman.
More than 500 BSF personnel assembled at BSF Stadium at Paloura Camp to observe International Yog Day under the supervision of IG BSF Jammu Frontier, Rakesh Kumar. All the BSF brave soldiers and their families practiced in yoga for more than one hour. All the officers, SOs and Jawans took pledge to maintain good and sound health.