The first International Yoga Day celebrations got off to a rousing start with Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh E.S.L. Narasimhan taking the lead in organising in one such function at Raj Bhavan.
Undeterred by incessant drizzle, hundreds of yoga enthusiasts turned up at designated venues for the celebrations. Yoga guru Ravi Kishore kick-started the celebrations at Durbar Hall.
The Governor said: “Yoga gave elasticity, flexibility and vitality to the human body apart from immunity from disease.”
At Sanjeevaiah Park abutting the Tank Bund, the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party organised the celebrations where Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda was the chief guest.
State party chief G. Kishan Reddy, national general secretary Muralidhar Rao and the BJP floor leader in Assembly K. Laxman were also present.
Imbibe Yoga: Nadda
Union Health Minister Nadda said: “It is imperative that people imbibe yoga into their daily life. Yoga is the right solution for challenges posed by lifestyle and non-communicable diseases.”
Telangana Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy inaugurated the yoga celebrations at Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy stadium as young practitioners of yoga performed guided meditation.
In his inaugural address, the Minister said yoga could be used as a preventive medical practice. "Regular yoga practice would prevent even frequent visits to hospitals," Mr. Reddy said.
Yoga in syllabi
The meet that was held at Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium was followed by planting of around 500 saplings. The Health Minister said the government was actively considering introduction of yoga in schools and other educational institutions.
In keeping with the spirit of Yoga Day being celebrated across the country, Indian Army’s Bison Division conducted a “Mass Yoga Event” at Mehdipatnam Garrison in Hyderabad and Bolarum Garrison in Secunderabad.
The event was attended by a large number of Army personnel including senior rank officers, their families and school children. Qualified Yoga instructors were present to conduct the event.
Elsewhere, ‘Art of Living’ members organised Yoga day celebrations at 10 different venues in the Twin Cities.
