Celebration of 3rd International Day of Yoga in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, June 21, 2017: The 3rd International Day of Yoga was celebrated today in the Union Territory, Chandigarh at Plaza in Sector-17. The event saw participation by approximately 3000 number of participants who took part in Yoga session and performed Yoga in accordance with the Common Yoga Protocol given by the Ministry of AYUSH.
The Chief Guest for the function was H.E Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore, while the Guest of Honor was Sh. J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and the function was held in the august presence of Smt. Kirron Kher, Member of Parliament, Chandigarh along with other dignitaries, Sh. Parimal Rai, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, IAS, Secretary Home & Health, U.T. Chandigarh, Smt. Asha Jaswal, Mayor, U.T. Chandigarh, Sh. Ajit Balaji Joshi, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, U.T. Chandigarh, Sh. Sanjay Tandon and other senior officials of the administration.
Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T., Chandigarh, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Mr. J.P. Nadda, while addressing the participants highlighted the benefits of Yoga and terms of individual well-being as well as our collective efforts to improve public health, promote peaceful relations and usher in a life of dignity for all. He
commended the contribution of Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narendra Modi who had proposed the idea on 27 September 2014 and the UN General Assembly, adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga, recognizing that "Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being."
Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore further added that “Indian heritage is replete with a rich culture, age old traditions and diverse socio-cultural fabric and “Yoga” is the epitome of Indian legacy. It is the very essence of our culture and this ancient discipline traces its roots to the pre-Vedic times. In present time too people have become conscious about their health. Positivity descended on them with wholeheartedly adopting Yoga in day today routine.”
During the yoga session, Sh. V.P. Singh Badnore, Mr. J.P. Nadda and Sh. Sanjay Tandon also participated with the participants to perform the Common Yoga Protocol during the one hour session. A live streaming of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s address to the nation at Lucknow was also done during the event.
Besides Chandigarh Police, various NGO’s participated in the Yoga Session namely Patanjali, Art of living, Govt. College for Yoga Education and Health Sector-23, Brahmrishi Yoga Training College Sector-19, Brahm Kumaris, Yoga Federation of India, Chandigarh, Chandigarh Yoga Sabha, International Naturopathy organization, Bihar School of Yoga for Physical and Mental Health, Red Cross, Chandigarh Yoga Association, Himalayan Yoga & Sachitta Yoga. Sant Nirankari Mandal Chandigarh provided 100 Volunteers for co-ordinating various activities of International Day of Yoga celebrations. Chandigarh Police Band played welcome tune and National Anthem at this occasion. T-shirts and Yoga mats were provided to all the participants by the Administration.
In addition to the main celebrations at Plaza Sector-17, Chandigarh, Yoga sessions were held simultaneously at Sukhna Lake by Education Department, NSS and Yoga Federation of India, at 38 Govt. Schools of Chandigarh and Snehalaya by AYUSH Department, at various locations of Chandigarh by different NGO’s, at Cricket stadium by Sports Department, at Burail Jail & in various parks of Chandigarh.