ITANAGAR, June 21: Arunachal Pradesh joined the nation in celebrating International Yoga Day on Saturday with a series of events across the state, led by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik and Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who underscored the importance of yoga for physical and mental well-being.
Governor Parnaik participated in the yoga session at Raj Bhavan here.
Emphasising the day’s theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, he said yoga has evolved into a global movement that transcends cultural, religious, and national boundaries.
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“It has shown us how inner peace can foster outer peace, and how a calm mind leads to a healthier life,” Parnaik said, calling yoga a timeless gift from India’s ancient wisdom that promotes harmony of body, mind, and spirit.
He expressed hope that the day would inspire people to embrace yoga as a daily practice, fostering inner harmony and a deeper sense of responsibility towards nature.
“Let us make yoga a part of our daily lives for a healthier present and a brighter, more balanced future,” the governor said.
Parnaik extended warm wishes to the people of the state and expressed hope that the day would inspire more and more individuals to incorporate yoga into their lives. He conveyed heartfelt gratitude to yoga teachers, practitioners, and wellness champions whose dedication continues to keep this ancient tradition vibrant and relevant.
Recalling the global recognition yoga received under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the governor noted that the declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations in 2014 transformed India’s timeless tradition into a worldwide movement for peace, wellness, and unity.
“What began as a sacred practice on the banks of our rivers is now a bridge connecting hearts across continents,” he remarked.
Parnaik emphasised the profound link between personal well-being and the health of the planet.
He said that yoga, rooted in the values of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence), ‘satya’ (truth), and ‘aparigraha’ (non-possessiveness), promotes compassion, mindfulness, and ecological responsibility, encouraging a balanced and sustainable way of living.
Appealing to the youth, the governor said that in today’s fast-paced and digitally driven world, yoga offers much-needed clarity and calm.
“More than just physical fitness, yoga nurtures emotional strength, mental focus, and self-awareness. By embracing it, young people can lead healthier, more conscious lives and become torchbearers of peace and wellness in their communities,” he said.
As part of his ongoing efforts to promote holistic wellness, the governor also distributed a yoga booklet titled ‘Yoga for Common Health Challenges’, brought out by him, to the participants.
Khandu, along with Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, participated in an event at Chuna village, one of India’s remotest border settlements in Tawang district, close to the Tibet frontier.
The event saw the participation of Bollywood singer Mohit Chauhan, commanders of the Indian Army’s 40 and 46 Brigades, ITBP personnel, schoolchildren, and officers from the district administration.
Held at an altitude of 3,950 metres above sea level, the celebration highlighted yoga as a path to inner peace and national unity.
“This International Yoga Day, we gathered at Chuna in Tawang district to celebrate the ancient wisdom of yoga, a gift from Bharat to the world,” Khandu wrote in a post on X.
Following the yoga session, Khandu interacted with the villagers of Chuna, emphasising his commitment as their local MLA to understand their challenges and aspirations firsthand.
“It was important for me to sit down with them, listen closely to their concerns, and understand their aspirations,” he said.
During his visit, he also met jawans of the Arunachal Scouts, expressing deep admiration for their dedication.
Khandu concluded his visit by reaffirming the strategic and symbolic significance of border villages, saying, “From the borders of the Northeast, we reaffirmed: India’s borders are not the end, they are the origin points of our message to the world.”
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein led the celebrations at the Kongmu Kham Golden Pagoda in Namsai district.
Reflecting on his personal journey with yoga, he shared, “Yoga is not just a routine; it’s a way of aligning the mind, body, and soul. I have been practising yoga for several years now, and it continues to ground me amidst the demands of public life.”
Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, led the celebrations at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya at Anini in Dibang Valley district.
He pointed to the growing global embrace of yoga, especially during challenging times, as a source of both physical and mental strength.
Anini MLA Mopi Mihu also took part and stressed the role of yoga in enhancing mental clarity and emotional balance. He urged participants to dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to the practice and to inspire others to join.
Meanwhile, state BJP president Kaling Moyong, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tashing, and party workers observed the day with a yoga event at the party office in Itanagar.
The United Nations General Assembly officially declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, acknowledging yoga’s universal appeal and holistic benefits. (PTI)
