Thousands of people performed yoga asanas at the government-sponsored camps and participated in classes organised at initiatives of individuals and private organisations marking the first International Yoga Day on Sunday.
Union Ministers, State Ministers and top officials led the efforts to make it a memorable day by attending Yoga sessions.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram performed different asanas at a camp organised by the Patanjali Yoga Samiti at Jeypore in Koraput district. He was joined by yoga enthusiasts from southern districts on Sunday morning.
Similarly, braving intermittent rain on Sunday morning, hundreds of school students, government employees, traders and yoga lovers participated at Kalinga Stadium here. State Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said yoga had been practiced in India for ages and now celebration of International Day of Yoga would help spread awareness about the ancient exercise. The State level celebration was attended by Chief Secretary G. C. Pati and Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation A. N. Jena.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, inaugurated a camp at an indoor stadium at Cuttack.
