Visakhapatnam: Brimming with excitement and energy, Vizagites gathered in large numbers at various places across the city on Wednesday to mark the 3rd International Day of Yoga here. The district administration, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Railways, PSUs, NGOs and yoga centres conducted special events to celebrate the day. Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal participated in the event at Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium conducted by the district administration.

ENC celebration:

International Day of Yoga 2017 was celebrated with enthusiasm by nav-al personnel and families of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Vizag. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC, joined the personnel of the Command at the yoga session at the vaval dockyard.

More than 5,000 personnel took part in the yoga sessions organised by ENC, at various units and locations. In addition, personnel onboard the ENC ships deployed at sea also practiced yoga this morning to mark the International Day of Yoga. As part of the yoga session, participating Naval personnel were introduced to various Asanas, Pranayams, conditioning practices and breathing exercises.

As part of the event, the ENC organised many discourses on the virtues of yoga, its integration into daily life to suit modern sociological needs and lifestyles for sustained good health and stress-free life. The participants expressed satisfaction with the benefit they get from the event

Railways:

The railway authorities arranged various programmes as part of the event. A large number of enthusiasts participated in the yoga event which was conducted at Sri Srinivasa Kalyana Mandapam in the city and also in the sub-divisional head quarters of the Division.

Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Railway Manager, Waltair, Mukul Saran Mathur said “Yoga does not only add years to life but also life to years. It is through yoga that one can attain tranquility of the mind that can help to lead a happy life.

Educational institutions:

In order to enhance awareness among students, a yoga exhibition was organised from June 17 to 21 in the School of Gandhian Studies of GITAM university. The exhibition includes various books related to the theory, research and practice of yoga. There were also charts highlighting yoga postures besides accessories related to yoga practice. GITAM School of Gandhian Studies in association with GITAM NCC and NSS wings and students from government schools and colleges participated in a big yoga programme. Over 600 students and staff from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar School turned up to participate in the yoga day. Dr. Sai Krishna, a renowned yoga guru, lauded the efforts taken by the management, principal and teachers of the institution in imparting excellent training to students in yoga.