Chandigarh, June 21 — The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated across Haryana with great enthusiasm and held special significance this year. While over 1 lakh people gathered at the sacred Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra for the state-level event, sending a powerful message to the world through collective yoga practice, nearly 20 lakh participants joined yoga sessions held across 22 districts and 121 blocks of the state.
The state-level function was graced by Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, AYUSH and Health Minister, Kumari Arti Singh Rao, MP, Sh. Naveen Jindal, and renowned Ayurvedacharya, Sh. Balkrishna and other dignitaries. Notably, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev led the yoga session. The live broadcast of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s address from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was watched by all participants.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that a Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme will be launched to promote yoga research in universities, with outstanding authors to be honored annually. Additionally, 100 new Yoga evam Vyayamshalas will be established this financial year. Currently, there are 883 vyayamshalas already operating in the state. An international meditation hall will also be built at Shri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra, he announced.
The Chief Minister further announced the introduction of a credit-based evaluation system for assessing students’ yoga performance in all government schools. A uniform yoga curriculum will also soon be implemented in all universities and colleges of Haryana.
He stated that yoga and naturopathy subjects will be recognized under the AYUSH, starting this year, with government registration of practitioners also commencing.
The Chief Minister also announced that experienced coaches will be appointed to strengthen yoga as a sport at the national level and to train athletes for international competitions. Recruitment for 40 yoga instructors in the sports department will begin shortly.
He announced that from today, a 5-minute ‘Yoga Break’ will be introduced in all government offices of Haryana to provide a stress-free work environment for employees.
PM Narendra Modi Re-established Yoga as India’s Identity on the Global Stage- CM
Extending greetings on the 11th International Yoga Day from the land of Kurukshetra, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the entire world is now embracing yoga, thanks to the efforts of saints, sages, and especially our visionary Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister has restored yoga—India’s ancient legacy—to the international stage and inspired millions with the slogan, “Khelega Bharat, toh Khilega Bharat; Yoga ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz,” which has become a source of motivation for many.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Yog Guru Swami Ramdev, noting that he has connected individuals worldwide with ancient yoga practices, thus giving yoga a global identity.
He emphasized that this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” signifies that yoga is not just for individual well-being but for the welfare of all humanity.
International Yoga Day Celebrated Like a Festival; Entire Haryana Immersed in Yoga
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini shared that activities related to Yoga Day began in Haryana as early as May 27, 25 days before the International Yoga Day. Various programmes were organized across the state, involving officers, employees, the general public, and religious and social organizations, transforming Yoga Day into a grand celebration. Today, both Kurukshetra and all of Haryana have been immersed in yoga.
Yoga is Not Just Exercise, but a Complete Science of Living
The Chief Minister noted that yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a complete science for living a healthy, happy, and peaceful life. Yoga is an art of living, which is why it is said: ‘Do yoga daily, stay healthy always.’ We should all incorporate yoga into our daily routines, he said.
Yoga is the Foundation of Life, Devotion, Nature, and Culture — Swami Ramdev
On this occasion, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev stated that yoga is the foundation of life, devotion, nature, and culture. He recalled how Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi had strongly advocated for International Yoga Day in his very first address to the United Nations General Assembly. As a result, in 2014, the UN passed a historic resolution declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day, with 177 countries supporting the proposal at that time. Today, more than 200 countries are embracing yoga, making this ancient practice a global way of life.
Swami Ramdev also emphasized the Prime Minister’s vision of development with heritage, prosperity with culture, and yoga as national duty.
He praised the Haryana government, under Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership, for launching many welfare initiatives and connecting lakhs of people to yoga through numerous events.
During the programme, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini released three booklets published by Patanjali Yogpeeth on Swami Ramdev’s life and yoga journey, as well as a Yoga Protocol booklet prepared by the Haryana Yog Aayog. A video message from Geeta Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj was also played during the event.
Former Minister, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Chairman, Haryana Yog Aayog, Dr. Jaideep Arya, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and AYUSH Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General, AYUSH, Sh. Sanjeev Verma, and other dignitaries, were also present at the event.
