UP rolls out the mat for yoga day
BREATHTAKING EVENTS Enthusiasts turn up in large numbers at Raj Bhawan, various parks and other places across the state to perform asanas to mark the fourth International Yoga Day
LUCKNOW: Shagufta Singh, 8, reached the Janeshwar Mishra Park on Thursday morning with her grandmother, Bina Singh, 56, to take part in the event organised to mark the fourth edition of International Yoga Day.
“My grandmother brought me to the park to do yoga with her because it is yoga day,” Shagufta said as she prepared for Bhujangasana. On the cue from a yoga trainer, she slowly raised her head while lying prone. “Dadi you don’t do this, it may hurt your back,” Shagufta cautioned her grandmother who was trying the asan beside her.
Apart from this duo, scores of people were practising yoga together at the venue. While this group was correcting their Bhujangasana posture, 100 metres away, another group was trying to perfect the Gomukh asana.
“Try to touch your hands behind your back. This asan will help relax your back muscles and improve flexibility,” announced the trainer RK Mishra.
Similar events were also organised in major parks of the city.
Home minister Rajnath Singh, governor Ram Naik and chief minister Yogi Adityanth were the chief guests at the main event at Raj Bhawan.
ARMY PERSONNEL TAKE PART IN YOGA DAY EVENT
Around 35,000 army personnel of central command along with their families participated in the national event and made it a huge success. In Lucknow Cantonment itself, 4,500 army personnel and their families, under the aegis of Headquarters Central Command, participated and performed asanas under trained instructors. The Indian Army has incorporated yoga in their daily routine for soldiers even in the most hostile weather conditions.
AWARD FOR YOGA INSTITUTE
The yoga Institute received the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for outstanding contribution to promotion and development of yoga in 2018. The institute won the award in the ‘Organisation – National’ category. The timing of the announcement, on International Yoga Day, could not have been better – coinciding with the institute’s own centenary celebrations through 2018. The institute has produced more than 50,000 yoga teachers and has over 500 publications to its credit – contributing to the promotion and development of holistic yoga for every section of the society – both local and international.
BOOK ON MYTHOLOGY
A book on Indian mythology ‘Brahangusanheeta’ was launched by Vinay Kumar Pathak, general secretary AKTU on the occasion of International Yoga Day. BJP leader Sunil Bansal and medical education minister Ashutosh Tandon were present on the occasion.
IYD AT DISTRICT PRISON
As many as 400 inmates at Lucknow district prison participated in the yoga day function on Thursday. The programme was headed by a 50-year-old convict serving life term. “We have decided to continue the yoga programme in the coming days,” said PN Pandey, senior prison superintendent.