Pushkar Singh Dhami performs yoga on International Yoga Day

On the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a mass yoga session along with a large number of yoga practitioners, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) workers, students, youth, women and senior citizens at a state-level event in Banbas.

The Chief Minister greeted the people of the state on the occasion of International Yoga Day and described yoga as the basis of a healthy and balanced life. The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of immense joy and pride for him to have the opportunity to practice yoga with the locals on the sacred land of Maa Sharda. He expressed his gratitude to all the yoga instructors, practitioners and organizers for their contribution to the success of the event. He stated that yoga is not just a form of physical exercise but a way of life that establishes harmony between mind, body and soul. Yoga provides mental stability and leads an individual to a positive, balanced and successful life.

The Chief Minister noted that in today’s world where stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyle pose significant challenges, yoga serves as an effective natural healing system. Regular practice of yoga and pranayama strengthens immunity, increases mental concentration and promotes positive energy in life. He further noted that yoga has united humanity worldwide and helped usher in the Indian cultural ideals of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family) and “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” (May all be happy, may all be healthy) on the global stage. He added that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day has gained global recognition and today millions of people in more than 190 countries are associated with yoga.

The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is a land of ancient traditions of yoga, spirituality and meditation. The state government is working with a commitment to make Uttarakhand a global hub for yoga and wellness. He informed that the state has introduced the country’s first yoga policy under which grants of up to ₹ 20,000 are provided for setting up yoga and meditation centres, while grants of up to ₹ 10,00,000 are available to support research and studies in yoga, meditation and naturopathy. In addition, five new yoga centers are being developed across the state and yoga services are being provided at all Ayush Health and Wellness Centres.

He said that the objective of organizing the state level Yoga Day event at Banbas was to promote yoga and spiritual practices along the banks of the Sharda River. The government is also working through the Sharda Corridor Project to give the region a new identity in spiritual and tourism development. Under this project, which is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹ 3,300 crore, various religious and tourist destinations are being developed, including the Sharda waterfront from Tanakpur to Banbasa. The ₹179 crore renovation work of Sharda Ghat has already started in the first phase.

The Chief Minister particularly appealed to the youth not to limit yoga to a single day but to make it an integral part of their daily life. He urged them to stay away from social evils like substance abuse and adopt a healthy, disciplined and positive lifestyle. He expressed confidence that the people of Uttarakhand will actively contribute to the realization of the vision of making the state a global hub of yoga. Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister and District In-charge Minister Bharat Chaudhary, District Panchayat Chairman Anand Singh Adhikari, Secretary to Chief Minister and Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, Secretary Ajush Ranjana Rajguru, Kumaon IG Nivedita Kukreti, District Champawat Superdav, Police Magistrate U Redindten Manisha Kumar. Nagar District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Police Inspector Ajay Ganpati, Chief Development Officer Dr. GS Khati, along with other public representatives and officials.

Published – 23 Jun 2026 09:52 IST