The International Yoga Day was celebrated across Odisha with people participating in large numbers at yoga events in public places, campuses of educational institutes and premises of office complexes.
The State government organised the State-level yoga event at Jayadev Bhawan where Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Panda spoke at length about benefits of yoga.
They exhorted people to make yoga a part of daily life and use it as a disease prevention action.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan led yoga exercise event organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthana (NYKS) and National Cadet Corps at Janata Maidan.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Pradhan said: “United Nations had declared June 21 as International Yoga Day following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now, 190 countries are observing the day with great enthusiasm.”
“The yoga, which is based on ancient Indian science, is now accepted worldwide. Athletes and players are practicing yoga in order to enhance their skill level as well as concentration in their respective games,” he said.
Mr. Pradhan released yoga guide books and felicitated people who had outstanding contribution in spreading messages on yoga.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram also took part at a yoga event at Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district.
Internationally acclaimed sand artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture that showed ‘Surya Namaskar’ posture on the Puri beach. Central government offices and corporate houses including Rourkela Steel Plant, National Aluminium Company Limited, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and Paradip Port Trust also organised yoga events.
Similarly, to spread awareness about the benefits of yoga, East Coast Railway employees led by general manager Rajiv Vishnoi participated in a mega yoga event here. Yoga asanas and kriyas were displayed and taught by eminent gurus and yoga experts.
