Ranchi, June 21: The International Yoga Day was celebrated in Jharkhand on Saturday, with politicians cutting across party lines participating in events to promote physical and mental well-being.
State Health Minister Irfan Ansari took part in an event here and said yoga is “not merely an exercise but a lifestyle that fosters balance among heart, soul, and mind”.
Jharkhand’s BJP president Babulal Marandi participated in a yoga session at Ranchi’s Ambikapuri, while Union Minister Annapurna Devi practised yoga in Deoghar.
The International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren extended their wishes on the occasion.
“Yoga is not just exercise but a powerful method to keep life balanced and holistically healthy. It energises the body, brings clarity to thoughts, and provides stability to life. Let’s resolve to incorporate yoga into our daily routine,” Gangwar posted on X.
The Jharkhand CM wrote on X, “Unity with nature, restraint, and simplicity, this is our culture and the true essence of yoga.”
Ansari led the yoga session at Birsa Munda Fun Park in Ranchi, where BJP MLA CP Singh also participated.
The minister said, “Yoga has been practised for years in our country. It is not merely an exercise but a lifestyle that fosters balance among heart, soul, and mind.”
Singh said people in the country came to know about yoga and ‘pranayama’ around 5,000 years ago, and it helps keep diseases away.
The Jharkhand BJP chief said, “Yoga is not just exercise but a lifestyle that brings us closer to nature and awakens inner consciousness.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the way in earning global recognition for yoga, Singh said.
In 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
On the occasion, Janata Dal (United) MLA Saryu Roy said yoga is an ancient Indian practice that helps maintain good health.
“Yoga is about integrating the body, mind and soul,” Roy said, adding that there is a “growing awareness about what we eat, what we shouldn’t eat, and how we should eat along with yoga”.
East Singhbhum District Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, along with senior officials of various departments, health workers, students and people practised yoga at Khasmahal in Jamshedpur.
Around 400 yoga enthusiasts participated in an event, hosted jointly by the Lakshmi Narayan Temple Renovation Committee and Krida Bharati on the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple premises in Golmuri’s Cable Town in Jamshedpur.
This was the first time that people practised yoga collectively at the temple under the guidance of yoga teacher Naveen Chaurasia. (PTI)
