Jharkhand marks International Yoga Day with mass sessions

Ranchi/ Jamshedpur/ Dhanbad: From Raj Bhavan and university campuses to schools, prisons and public grounds, millions across Jharkhand rolled out their yoga mats on Sunday to celebrate the 12th International Yoga Day, turning the occasion into one of the state’s largest mass wellness drives.The daylong celebrations, anchored around the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, reflected the state’s growing commitment to holistic wellness and mental well-being.The state-level programme was held at Ranchi University, where minister Irfan Ansari, senior health department officials and hundreds of participants performed various yoga asanas and breathing exercises.Addressing the gathering, Ansari highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life.

“Yoga has been an integral part of Indian culture and way of life for centuries. In today’s world, marked by rising stress and mental pressure, yoga helps people maintain mental balance and emotional well-being. We must all embrace yoga for a healthy lifestyle that keeps the body fit and fills the mind with peace and tranquillity,” he said.Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also participated in a Yoga Day programme at Lok Bhawan’s Birsa Mandap and underscored yoga’s role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing stress in an increasingly fast-paced world.

He urged people not to limit yoga to a one-day celebration but make it an integral part of their daily routine.The spirit of yoga extended to the state’s youth, with over 50 lakh students, teachers and staff members from more than 35,000 govt and private schools participating in mass yoga sessions. Preparations for the event began on June 16. Sunday’s programmes included prayer sessions, yoga asanas, breathing exercises, and painting and slogan-writing competitions.The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) celebrated the occasion at its Ranchi headquarters and regional institutes. Around 25,000 inmates across Jharkhand prisons also took part in yoga sessions organised under an initiative of the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority.Despite early morning drizzle, enthusiasm remained undeterred in Ranchi, where residents participated in yoga programmes across the city.

Social media platforms were flooded with pictures and videos of people taking part in the celebrations.“It was fun to do yoga amid the drizzle. I have been practising yoga for the past four years and have noticed significant benefits to my body and mind,” said Ranchi resident Parthiv Kumar.In Jamshedpur, a district-level yoga programme was organised at Khasmahal Durga Puja Ground near Sadar Hospital. Deputy commissioner Rajiv Ranjan, who attended the event, said regular yoga not only improves physical health but also reduces mental stress and contributes to overall development.Dhanbad too witnessed enthusiastic participation in Yoga Day events organised across govt offices, educational institutions and social organisations. The district-level programme, organised by the district administration in association with the Ayush department at the Mega Sports Complex, was attended by Dhanbad MP Dulu Mahato, Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, senior officials and hundreds of residents. Participants performed yoga asanas and pranayama under the guidance of trained instructors.At IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, director Sukumar Mishra, faculty members, staff and students participated in a special yoga session, where experts highlighted yoga’s role in physical fitness, mental well-being and stress management.Railway employees observed Yoga Day at various railway establishments, while govt and private schools across the district organised yoga sessions to promote physical and mental wellness among students. Dhanbad Police personnel performed yoga at the SSP office and other establishments, while RSS shakhas and several social, educational and cultural organisations conducted yoga camps and awareness programmes across the district.