New Delhi, 21 June (IANS). On the occasion of 11th International Yoga Day, various states of South India saw enthusiasm for yoga. Leaders, yoga trainers, and common people in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh participated extensively in yoga programs. On this occasion, a message was given to make yoga a part of life and adopt its physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
BJP state president Nanar Nagendran attended the yoga program at Azhar Nagar Park in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. He practiced yoga with party officials and a large number of local people. In this event, the enthusiasm of people towards yoga was clearly visible. Nagendran appealed to adopt yoga as a precious gift of Indian culture and adopt it in daily life.
Union Minister Shobha Karandalaje attended the yoga session in Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. He performed yoga asanas with other people and described yoga as the basis of healthy lifestyle. Local people also enthusiastically participated in this event held in Bangalore.
On the other hand, yoga instructor Gautam Udappa emphasized the importance of yoga in a conversation with news agency IANS. He said, “Yoga is needed today. People from every age group are getting attracted towards it. Earlier people used to take yoga lightly, but now school children are also doing yoga. Yoga and meditation are the most effective to solve problems related to stress, heart disease and other lifestyle.”
Describing the special need for yoga for children, Gautam said that it helps in increasing concentration and focus.
The 11th International Yoga Day celebrations held on the beach road in Puducherry were inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Kailashanathan and Chief Minister Rangasami by doing yoga asanas. The program was attended by Assembly Speaker Selvam, Home Minister Namdriyam, Public Works and Tourism Minister Laxminarayanan and Rajya Sabha MP Selvaganapati.
More than 3,500 students and professionals performed yoga asanas at this ceremony jointly organized by Puducherry Government’s Tourism, School Education, Higher and Technical Education, Directorate and Pollution Control Board.
Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister HD at Salem Steel Plant in Tamil Nadu. Kumaraswamy participated in the Yoga Day celebrations. Hundreds of employees and residents gathered at the Hill View Stadium in Salem Township.
Kumaraswamy described yoga as a source of physical vitality, mental clarity and inner peace. He said, “Yoga is not only exercise, but a way of living, which creates a healthy person and a strong nation.”
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and thanked him for making Yoga a global movement.
Former MP Gokaraju Gangaraju took part in the “Taranta Yoga” program organized on the banks of Krishna River in Tadepalli in Undavalli, Andhra Pradesh. In this unique event organized by the Aqua Devils Welfare Association, participants performed yoga asanas on the river bank, which reflects the creative outlook towards yoga.
-IANS
SHK/GKT
