Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated the 2nd International Yoga Festival cum International Yoga Sports Championship 2017, organized by the Yoga Society of Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre. About 300 participants from various parts of India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Canada, Bulgaria, U.S.A. and Nepal are participating in this Festival. Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, was present on the occasion.Welcoming the participants, Governor N.N. Vohra, complimented Sh. Shabir Ahmed Dar, Yoga therapist & Coach, for establishing the Yoga Society of Kashmir and organizing this Championship. He also complimented Sh. Altaf Bukhari, Minster for Education and Chairman of the Yoga Society for providing the required encouragement to Sh. Dar.Observing that Yoga is enormously beneficial for the growth of a healthy mind and body, Governor emphasized that learning to practise yoga, especially from a young age helps in developing the required mental and physical discipline which enables the practitioner to lead a wholesome, stress free and balanced life.
Governor wished all the participants a happy and comfortable stay here and suggested that the Organisers should take them, particularly the foreign visitors, on a sightseeing tour of the scenic Kashmir Valley. Earlier, inspiring performances of rhythmic and artistic yoga were presented by a Yoga group from Jharkhand and Sh. Sourabh Singh from Amritsar. Governor, First Lady, Minister Bukhari and Dr. Shehnaz Ganai, MLC presented awards to the achievers and promoters of Yoga. In appreciation of the yoga performances which were demonstrated before the large audience Governor Vohra announced a cash prize of Rs. 31,000/- to be distributed among the 10 young yoga practitioners from Jharkhand and complimented their Coaches Pooja Rani and Nanda Dula Dutta. The Governor also announced a cash prize of Rs. 21,000 for the outstanding performance given by Sh. Sourabh Singh from Amritsar Punjab. Sh. Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Education, stressed the importance of Yoga for a healthy life and said that very soon he shall enable yoga instruction to be given in various schools in the State.Ms. Shehnaz Ganai, MLC, was present on the occasion.