Yoga Day fervour sweeps Mohali, Panchkula

The administrations of both Mohali and Panchkula marked the International Day of Yoga with district-level celebrations that drew enthusiastic participation from the public.

The Mohali event was held at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, Sector 78, under the supervision of the Ayurveda and Unani Department and CM di Yogshala. Key dignitaries included SDM Damandeep Kaur, DSP Harsimran Singh Bal, Director, Ayurveda and Unani Department Dr Ravi Dogra, District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer Dr Sarabjit Kaur, and District Yoga Coordinator Pratima Dawar.

Panchkula, meanwhile, saw an event being held at the Red Bishop Convention Hall where yoga enthusiasts performed asanas to musical rhythms in line with the official Yoga Day protocol.

The chief guest, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma, also participated in the yoga exercises alongside others.

Addressing the gathering, Sharma stated that yoga, a vital part of India’s cultural heritage, has now been embraced globally, guiding the world on the path to better health due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She added that today, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana has taken a new pledge on International Yoga Day — “Yoga Yukt, Nasha Mukt Haryana” (Yoga-enriched, addiction-free Haryana). Sharma also extended her greetings to the people of Haryana on International Yoga Day, urging everyone to incorporate yoga into their daily routines to ensure the health and well-being of themselves and their families.

During the programme, artist Subhash Ghosh mesmerised the audience with his classical music performance.

Also present on the occasion were senior BJP leader Banto Kataria, BJP District President Ajay Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner Nisha Yadav, DCP Srishti Gupta, City Magistrate Vishwanath, along with senior officials from various departments and staff from the Ayush department.

CM di Yogshala initiative

Besides, a total of 12,210 individuals took part in the Yoga Day celebrations held at 33 different locations across Mohali. All coordinators and trainers from the “CM di Yogshala” initiative participated in the events.

Multiple locations across Mohali city such as Sector 78, 79, 81, the Nasha Mukti Kendra, Sector 66 and other parts of Kharar, also saw enthusiastic participation. At Ramlila Hall, Kharar, SDM Divya P also performed yoga and extended greetings to the public.

Yoga sessions were also held at Swamiji Park, Kurali, Kalewal, Roorkee Pukhta, Sector 125, Senior Citizen Hall and Western Tower Society in Kharar. The day was also observed at Naada village, Nayagaon, New Chandigarh Ecocity, and Omaxe Ambika.

District Yoga Coordinator Pratima Dawar informed that in Zirakpur, sessions were conducted at Aerovista, Krishna Enclave, Highland Society, Green Lotus Society, Jarnail Singh Daulat Singh Wala Park, Royal Motiaz, Dhakoli Village, Golden Sand Society, Altura Apartments (Nagla Road), Swastik Vihar, Max Society and Bollywood Society.

MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa participated in the yoga session at Bollywood and Altura Societies, encouraging residents to embrace yoga as a part of daily life.

In the Derabassi block, meanwhile, events were held at Rampur Sainian, Forest Park, Gulmohar City Extension and the villages: Bakarpur, Hammayupur, Kharr Gujran, Kalewal, and BDPO Office Dera Bassi.

A record-breaking attendance

Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS Mohali), and CM di Yogshala set a new Asia Book of Records title for the largest yoga session by healthcare professionals.

With 3,003 participants, including MBBS and nursing students, doctors, paramedics and healthcare professionals from across disciplines, AIMS Mohali celebrated the day at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Government College, from 6 am to 7 am.

Director Principal Dr Bhavneet Bharti said, “The record-breaking event was supported by CM di Yogshala and backed by the Punjab Nursing Council and nursing colleges of the Tricity.”

“All of their joint efforts made possible a synchronised yoga session oragnised under the national initiative ‘Yoga Sangam’ led by the Ministry of AYUSH,” she further added.

Virtual session

Shivalik Public School, Sector 78, celebrated the day with a virtual session conducted for the staff and students. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society” with the message “One Earth, One Health”, emphasised on the profound connection between individual well-being and global harmony.

Students performed various yoga asanas such as Tadasana, Konasana, Uttanasana, Trikonasana, Anuvittasana and Pranayama under the able guidance of the school yoga instructor, Poonam Rana. Students were also explained the benefits of each posture as they performed various aasanas.

Minister emphasises on ‘transformative power’

Punjab Transport and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar emphasized on the transformative power of yoga, saying, “Yoga exercises cultivate self-restraint and bring peace of mind to human lives.”

Participating in the celebrations at Deep Ayurveda, Mohali, the Minister expressed pride in India’s ancient legacy of yoga. “Free daily yoga training sessions are being conducted to ensure the physical and mental well-being of residents. Even Punjab’s jails are offering regular yoga sessions to help inmates shift from a criminal mindset to a peaceful and constructive way of life,” he said.

The event also featured a live yoga session led by instructor Hemlata.

Celebration at Yavnika Park

The Evergreen Energetic Yog Pariwar organised a celebration at Yavnika Park, Sector 5, Panchkula.

Led by founder Vinod Bajaj, the event attracted participants across age groups, who performed unique yoga techniques like Ardh Yog and Advanced Mandook Asan. The event included prayers, meditation, inspirational songs and an interactive Q&A session.

National Institute of Ayurveda

The National Institute of Ayurveda in Panchkula, under the Ministry of AYUSH, marked the day with a large-scale event attended by over 1,000 participants. The theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” guided the activities.

Chief guest Gian Chand Gupta, former Speaker of Haryana Assembly, spoke about making yoga a lifestyle essential. The session included asanas, pranayama, and meditation.

Camp promotes wellness

Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA), in coordination with DLSA, Panchkula, organised a special yoga camp at its Sector 14 office. Guided by Justice Lisa Gill, the event blended yoga and legal literacy. HALSA Member Secretary Surya Partap Singh highlighted the importance of both legal empowerment and well-being. CJM Aparna Bhardwaj, meanwhile, stressed upon yoga’s mental and emotional benefits while instructor Satyavir Singh led the session.

Kalka MLA bats for daily yoga

Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma also marked International Day of Yoga at the Government College, Kalka, promoting the theme “Yoga Cures Diseases.” She encouraged citizens to integrate yoga into daily life for physical health and longevity.

Stressing on the ancient roots, she said yoga brings inner peace and helps cure numerous ailments. The event saw community participation, inclduing demonstrations by Patanjali volunteers.

Western Command

The day was also observed at the Western Command Headquarters, Chandimandir, with over 300 participants, including yoga athletes Divya and Abhay, army officers, personnel and their families.

Organised in collaboration with the Haryana Yoga Commission, the event featured a Common Yoga Protocol session led by Dr Jaspreet Kaur. Lt Gen Mohit Wadhwa was chief guest, while Dr Pawan Gupta, Commission Member, highlighted ongoing yoga initiatives with defence forces.

Chandigarh