HT Bureau
Guwahati, Dec 12: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said, “Yoga is completely science of well being, of youthfulness and a science of integrating body, mind and soul. It enhances our mental and physical well-being and at the same time enriches our social well-being. It teaches us the power to help ourselves by building our physical and mental stamina.”
Inaugurating the 16th Assam Yoga Mahotsav organised by the Indian Yoga Culture and Yoga Therapy Center in the District Library auditorium here on Monday, Governor Prof. Mukhi said, “In this age, when life has become so fast-paced, it is essential to take care of our health. Hence, yoga is the ultimate solution for everyone to lead a healthy and peaceful life. Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga has always been a part of the Indian culture since time immemorial”.
The Governor while speaking on the occasion hailed Swami Sivananda Swaraswati who had come to Assam in the month of December and started Umachal Yogic Hospital in the foothills of the Nilachal Hill near Kamakhya temple in the year 1929. His role in popularising yoga in different walks of life in the State, needs appreciation. He also hailed the efforts of Yogacharya Subhashish Kaur for establishing Indian Yoga Culture and Yoga Therapy Centre, at Goshala, Maligaon in the year 1979 which is one of the leading yoga institutions in North Eastern Region.
Prof. Mukhi said that the Indian Yoga Culture and Yoga Therapy Centre, since its inception has been trying its best for helping people to imbibe yoga as an essential part of their lives. The reason is healthy and wealthy masses are the assets of an advanced nation. Persistent practice of yoga can protect body mind and soul. He also said that the involvement of yoga teachers in all academic and non-academic institutions by the Government and private agencies would augur well for the promotion of yoga. He said that if adequately patronised the centre will continue to enlighten the public through yoga and wellness in the future.
The Governor also said that the people of the country must express their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who in the year 2014 in his address to the UN General Assembly suggested an annual day for Yoga on June 21. When the Prime Minister put forward his proposal to the United Nations General Assembly all the 177 nations present there supported the proposal with spontaneous ovation. Since then, International Day of Yoga was celebrated throughout the world on 21st of June every year.
It may be mentioned that since 2007, the Yoga Culture and Therapy Centre has been celebrating ‘Assam Yoga Mahotsav’ with several programmes and synchronising with the Mahotsav, the Centre honours a distinguished person in recognition of their outstanding services for yoga and promotion of yoga as an alternative lifestyle in today’s environment. This year Swami Shivananda Saraswati Yoga Prerna Award 2022 has been bestowed on Prof. Ramachandra G Bhat, chairman, Veda Vijnana Shodha Samsthanam Trust, Bengaluru.
President Indian Yoga Culture and Yoga Therapy Centre Yogacharya Subhasish, president Swami Nigamananda Yogasharm, Jorhat Swami Suresananda Swaraswati, director, District Library Dinamani Das, yoga practitioners and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
