HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 21: The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated across Assam on Saturday with immense enthusiasm and mass participation, anchored by the lead presence of Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a central event in Guwahati.
The day, observed under the global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” highlighted yoga’s role in promoting personal well-being, ecological harmony, and planetary health.
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According to an official statement, Governor Acharya joined the celebrations organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Regional Centre, in collaboration with Kreeda Bharati.
The event, attended by sportspersons, yoga practitioners, officials, and youth, saw the Governor actively participating in various yoga mudras and encouraging citizens, especially the youth, to embrace yoga as a lifelong discipline.
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, he said “Yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam”—meaning “Yoga is excellence in action”—while underscoring the transformative power of yoga in developing discipline, focus, and inner harmony.
He praised India’s spiritual heritage linked with yoga and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for achieving global recognition of June 21 as International Yoga Day through the United Nations in 2014.
Governor Acharya also planted a sapling at the venue, emphasising that yoga goes hand in hand with environmental consciousness.
He urged people to make yoga a part of their daily routine, stating, “Let us take a collective pledge to embrace yoga as a way of life and contribute to building a healthy, inclusive, and green India.”
The event also witnessed the presence of Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, SAI Regional Centre Executive Director D K Mittal, Ministry of Tourism Deputy Director General R K Suman, and Kreeda Bharati North Eastern Zone Organising Secretary Manoj Kumar Mohanty.
Gauhati University in association with Vivekananda Kendra, Guwahati Branch celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga at the Multipurpose Indoor Hall of the university.
The programme began with Guru Bandana and was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, who stated that yoga has emerged as one of the most trusted means to boost physical and mental well-being.
Highlighting the symbolic unity of body, mind, thought, action, and nature, he called it a holistic approach to health.
Dr Ranjan Kr Kakati, Director of Students’ Welfare, explained this year’s theme and appealed to all to make yoga a part of their lives.
Yoga experts from Vivekananda Kendra demonstrated sessions following the Common Yoga Protocol.
Around 150 participants, including faculty members, students, and NSS volunteers, took part in the event, which concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Utpal Sarma, Registrar of the university.
Across the state, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) observed the day with yoga sessions at its headquarters in Maligaon and across all five divisions and workshops.
General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava led the main programme at the Railway Indoor Stadium.
Thousands of railway employees and their families participated, underlining NFR’s commitment to holistic health.
The NFR Construction wing also held separate sessions, and the celebrations were widely promoted on social media to increase public engagement.
In Biswanath district, the Assam Rifles conducted a Mass Yoga Demonstration at Lokra along the banks of the Kameng River.
Over 150 personnel, including officers and family members, took part in the session, showcasing unity and wellness.
Diphu witnessed large-scale celebrations at the Sarsing Teron Langkung Habe Multipurpose Sports Complex, organised by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in association with the District Administration.
CEM Tuliram Ronghang, local MLAs, MP Amarsing Tisso, and officials joined the event, which included a live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address and a yoga session led by Art of Living instructors. Winners of district-level yoga competitions held earlier were felicitated.
In Dhing, Nagaon, the Arogya Yoga Kendra organised the celebration in association with various local bodies at Dhing College Indoor Stadium.
With over 150 participants, including students, faculty, and residents, the event included a demonstration following the Common Yoga Protocol.
Speakers highlighted the relevance of the IDY theme, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks from the college principal.
Tezpur’s celebrations were led by State Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Nandita Gorlosa at Tezpur College under the Sonitpur District Administration.
The programme began with a welcome address, followed by the Minister’s speech and a mass yoga session.
A prize distribution ceremony recognised winners of local yoga competitions.
Simultaneous sessions were held at Dhekiajuli and Naduar.
The Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH) also observed the day with 202 participants and featured a special address by Dr Sunil Gitte from the Ministry of Health.
Yoga demonstrations, poster exhibitions, and guided practices rounded off the event.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Regional Office, Itanagar, organised a mass demonstration as part of the nationwide “Yoga Sangam” campaign.
At Tezpur, under the guidance of certified instructors, 35 participants joined the session.
Lokanayak Omeo Kumar Das College also conducted a vibrant yoga session led by Dr. Poly Hazarika with active participation from NCC cadets.
With Governor Acharya setting the tone in Guwahati and public bodies, educational institutions, and armed forces enthusiastically observing the day, the 11th International Day of Yoga stood as a statewide reaffirmation of India’s ancient wellness tradition and its relevance to a sustainable, healthy, and harmonious future.
