Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great enthusiasm across Jammu and Kashmir, with events held at educational institutions, sports grounds and spiritual centres.
Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana led a major gathering in Jammu, where he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for securing global recognition of Yoga through the United Nations.
He said this achievement reflects India’s cultural pride and PM Modi’s visionary leadership.
Highlighting Yoga’s role in physical and mental well-being, Khatana urged people to embrace Yoga as a lifestyle.
Expressing concern over the growing drug menace, he called for the formation of Anti-Drug Committees at the grassroot level, similar to Village Defence Committees, to strengthen community participation in the fight against narcotics.
He also participated in a mass Yoga session and honoured children for their performances, while thanking Vishal Yog Sansthan and the Department of Culture for organizing the event.
The Central Govt Pensioners Association, PNB, and Gandhinagar Morning Walkers Association celebrated the 11th International Yoga Day with a 90-minute morning session.
Residents of Gandhinagar, Trikuta Nagar, and PNB staff took part, with women outnumbering men.
The session was led by Bharatiya Yog Sansthan members Sham Lal, Rita Atri, and Vijay Phoa.
PNB Dy Circle Head Dharmesh M Dwivedi, CGPWA General Secretary K B Jandial, and Convenor Vijay Phoa spoke on the occasion.
They highlighted the theme Yoga for One Earth, One Health and its message of global unity for a healthier future.
In Jammu’s Parade Ground, the Parade Sports Association celebrated the day by integrating Yoga with its Summer Cricket Coaching Camp.
Experts Sharat Chander Magotra and Vishal Dubey guided young players in meditation and yoga techniques for enhancing performance and mental focus.
A medical check-up was also conducted by Dr Anil Kumar Mahajan to assess the players’ stamina and dietary needs.
Educational institutions also celebrated the International Yoga Day with great fervour.
National College of Education, Purkhoo Camp, through its NSS unit, hosted Yoga sessions under the theme “Yoga for one Earth, One Health,” promoting wellness and environmental harmony.
At Government Model Higher Secondary School Marh and Middle School Dhateryal, 60 participants joined teachers in performing asanas, while Anshika Verma delivered a talk on Yoga’s benefits.
Meanwhile, Higher Secondary School Chiralla in Doda saw the participation of over 400 students and staff in sessions focusing on inner peace and overcoming stress.
Sanatan Dharma School Rehari, in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Sanatan Dharma Sabha, Kreeda Bharati and Arun Sharma Trust, organized Yoga demonstrations and felicitated handball player Neeraj Singh.
In Baramulla, Government Middle School Hardushiva highlighted Yoga’s role in student well-being, with student Hamid Bashir being selected for district-level Yoga competitions.
At Om Shanti Meditation Centre in Jammu, the Yoga Association J&K, under the aegis of the Yoga Federation of India, hosted a grand event attended by dignitaries including Prof Dr Ashutosh Sharma and BK Ravinder.
Participants performed Yoga with dedication, promoting health, balance and spiritual discipline.
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