Governor Kavinder Gupta led the celebrations on the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day by participating in a mass yoga session organized at the historic Ridge ground in Shimla. The programme was jointly organized by the Himachal Pradesh Police Department in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that India's ancient tradition of yoga has today been embraced by people across the world. He emphasized that efforts should be made to promote yoga in every household so that every individual can lead a healthy and balanced life.
"A healthy body is the foundation of a healthy mind. Yoga provides a holistic path to physical fitness, mental well-being and spiritual growth," he said. The Governor, accompanied by Lady Governor Bindu Gupta, participated in the yoga session and encouraged people from all walks of life to adopt yoga as an integral part of their daily routine.
The yoga practice session conducted under the supervision of Dr. Satya Prakash Pathak of the Department of Yoga Studies, Himachal Pradesh University, included pranayama and various important yogic postures. Students of the University’s Yoga Department guided the participants through nearly one-and-a-half hours of yoga exercises.
Earlier, the Governor administered a pledge for a Drug-Free Himachal Pradesh to all participants and later honoured individuals who demonstrated excellence in yoga practice by presenting them with certificates of appreciation. On the sideline of the function, while interacting with media persons, Kavinder Gupta said that due to the visionary efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day is now being celebrated in 189 countries across the globe.
Referring to this year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," he said that the entire nation was conveying the message of health, wellness and active living through yoga. The Governor highlighted the relevance of yoga in promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He described yoga as a priceless gift from the sages of India, designed not only to strengthen the body but also to harmonize the mind and soul.
"It is a matter of great pride for every Indian that this ancient heritage has received global recognition. The declaration of 21st June as International Yoga Day by the United Nations has brought worldwide attention and respect to India's rich cultural legacy," he said.
Kavinder Gupta observed that while yoga was initially adopted around the world primarily for physical fitness, people are increasingly embracing it as a means of spiritual awakening and inner transformation. "Yoga is not merely about physical postures, it is a journey towards self-awareness, balance and inner peace," he remarked.
The Governor urged people to embrace yoga as a way of life and emphasized upon its potential to address various social challenges. He said that yoga can contribute significantly towards improving public health, fostering social harmony and combating substance abuse.
"Himachal Pradesh is blessed with natural beauty and a pure environment. Preserving its sanctity requires collective effort, and yoga can become a powerful instrument in building a healthy, disciplined and drug-free society," he added.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, senior officers of the Police and AYUSH Departments, and a large number of yoga enthusiasts, students and citizens participated in the programme.