International Yoga Day 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami did mass yoga exercises with a large number of yoga practitioners, Sashastra Seema Bal jawans, students, youth, matriarchs and senior citizens present in the state level program organized in Banbasa on the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day. While wishing the people of the state on International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister described Yoga as the basis of a healthy and balanced life.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great joy and pride for him to get the opportunity to practice yoga with the people of the area in this program organized on the holy land of Mother Sharda. He expressed his gratitude to all the yoga trainers, practitioners and organizers who contributed in the successful organization of Yoga Day.
The Chief Minister said that Yoga is not just a physical exercise but a way of life that establishes harmony between mind, body and soul. He said that yoga provides stability to the mind and leads a person towards a positive, balanced and successful life.
He said that in the present times, yoga is acting as an effective natural healing system amidst the challenges arising from stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyle. Regular practice of yoga and pranayam increases immunity, strengthens mental concentration and infuses positive energy in life.
The Chief Minister said that Yoga has worked to connect humanity across the world and has established the message of the basic mantra of Indian culture “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya” at the global level. He said that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day got global recognition and today crores of people have joined Yoga in more than 190 countries of the world.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is a land of ancient traditions of yoga, spirituality and sadhana. The state government is working with the resolve to establish Uttarakhand as the global capital of yoga and wellness. He said that the country’s first yoga policy has been implemented by the state government, under which a maximum subsidy of up to Rs 20 lakh has been made for the establishment of yoga and meditation centers and a grant of up to Rs 10 lakh has been made to encourage research and study in the field of yoga, meditation and naturopathy. Besides, five new yoga hubs are being developed in the state and availability of yoga services is being ensured in all AYUSH health and wellness centres.
The Chief Minister said that the objective of organizing the state level Yoga Day program in Banbasa is to widely promote yoga and spiritual practice on the banks of Sharda river. He said that the state government is working to give a new identity to the region for spiritual and tourism development through the Sharda Corridor Project. Under this project, which is being developed at a cost of about Rs 3300 crore, various religious and tourist places including Sharda River Front from Tanakpur to Banbasa are being developed. In the first phase, redevelopment works of Sharda Ghat have been started at a cost of Rs 179 crore.
The Chief Minister especially called upon the youth to not limit yoga to just one day, but make it an integral part of their daily life and adopt a healthy, disciplined and positive lifestyle by staying away from evils like drugs. He expressed confidence that the people of the state will provide active support in realizing the resolution of making Uttarakhand a global center of yoga.
On the occasion of Yoga Day program, Cabinet Minister and District Incharge Minister Bharat Chaudhary, President District Panchayat Anand Singh Adhikari, Secretary Chief Minister and Commissioner Kumaon Deepak Rawat, Secretary AYUSH Ranjana Rajguru, IG Kumaon Nivedita Kukreti, District Magistrate Champawat Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, District Magistrate Udhamsingh Nagar Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Superintendent of Police Udhamsingh Nagar Ajay Ganpati, Chief Development Officer Dr. GS Khati and others. Public representatives and officials were present.
