33,000 stretch as Chandigarh celebrates Yoga Day at 312 places

Nearly 33,000 people participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations across 312 locations, including dispensaries, parks, educational institutions and community centres, in the city on Saturday.

At Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17 here, about 2,000 people from various walks of life engaged themselves in a myriad of asanas.

Addressing yoga enthusiasts, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who was the chief guest at the event, underscored the significance of yoga as a holistic way of life. He remarked, “Yoga is no longer just a form of exercise, it is now a people’s movement in Chandigarh and across India. It empowers the individual, strengthens communities and offers a timeless solution to modern challenges.”

Kataria spoke about the spiritual, philosophical and scientific depth of yoga, tracing its roots from the ancient Indus-Saraswati civilization to its presence in the Rigveda, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. He highlighted how yoga fosters inner balance, mindfulness and harmony with nature.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal at the United Nations in 2014, which led to the declaration of International Day of Yoga, Kataria noted: “Today, yoga is a global spirit—a symbol of wellness and unity that transcends cultures and borders.”

This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society” and “One Earth, One Health”, resonated deeply as the Governor emphasised the interconnection of personal wellbeing and planetary health.

During the celebrations, the Governor led the entire gathering in taking a solemn pledge for a ‘Nasha-Mukt Chandigarh’.

Live-streaming of the Prime Minister’s address from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh was also organised at the venue.

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, Home Secretary Mandeep Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, Health Secretary Ajay Chagti and other officers of the UT Administration participated in the programme.

The celebrations at Rock Garden saw over 1,500 participants, including Anganwadi and creche workers.

BJP holds 38 events

The city BJP organised yoga programmes at 38 places to mark International Day of Yoga. The main event was held at the party office in which many BJP workers, including the party’s state president Jatinder Pal Malhotra, former state president Sanjay Tandon, vice-president Shakti Prakash Devsali and senior leader Jagtar Singh Jagga, were present. Malhotra said, “Yoga is a priceless gift of Indian culture. Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has got a global recognition."

PHDCCI SHE Forum

The PHDCCI SHE Forum, in association with the Food Corporation of India, organised a yoga session on the occasion of 11th International Day of Yoga here on Saturday. In her welcome address, Pooja Nayar, Chair-Chandigarh, PHDCCI SHE Forum, said, “As we mark this global occasion, we should aim to embrace wellness not just as a one-day activity, but as a lifestyle choice.”

District Court Complex

The International Day of Yoga was celebrated at the district courts. The event was attended by judicial officers, court officials, employees, officials of the State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, public utility services, legal aid defense counsel, para legal volunteers and members of the District Bar Association.

Over 3,000 attend session at PGI

Over 3,350 persons, including doctors, employees, students and their family members, participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations organised by the CCRYN-Collaborative Centre for Mind-Body Intervention through Yoga at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research on Saturday. PGI Director Prof Vivek Lal inaugurated the session by highlighting yoga as “synchronisation of inner and outer self,” calling it a path to physical health, mental clarity and emotional balance. Prof Akshay Anand said the centre now offered regular therapy to 153 referred patients and organised daily workplace sessions across 19 departments.

Air Force Station

The 11th International Day of Yoga, with the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ was observed at Air Force Station here on Saturday. Air Force personnel and their family members enthusiastically participated in the event. Air Force yoga instructors conducted various ‘yogic kriyas’, meditation exercises, ‘sankalpa’, prayers and demonstrations.

NCC Group

NCC Group-Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Communication, celebrated the day at Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, with fervour. The event saw participation of cadets from hundreds of schools and colleges in the city. Maj Gen JS Cheema, Additional Director General, NCC, emphasised the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for mental and physical well-being. He also awarded the winners of essay writing and poster painting competitions on the theme of International Day of Yoga.

Panjab University

The Directorate of Sports, Panjab University, organised the Yoga Day celebrations at the university Gymnasium Hall. The event was held in collaboration with the DSW, PU, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Sports Authorityof India and Dev Samaj College for Women.

Chandigarh