Celebrating International Yoga Day: NMCG Hosts ‘Ghat Par Yoga’ on Yamuna Banks
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/21st June 2024
In a significant celebration of International Day of Yoga, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized a remarkable event, ‘Ghat Par Yoga,’ at the BSF kayaking camp on the Yamuna’s banks. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society,’ emphasized yoga’s dual benefits of enhancing personal well-being and fostering social harmony.
Rajeev Mital, Director General of NMCG, highlighted the event’s significance, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic proposal at the 69th United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to establish International Yoga Day. Mital elaborated on yoga’s profound impact, describing it as a unique Indian spiritual science that benefits both mental and physical health. He emphasized yoga’s varied forms across civilizations, giving it a distinct identity that fosters connections between the individual, nature, and society. “Yoga at one level combines the mind and body of an individual, while at another level, it connects the individual with nature and society,” he remarked.
The event saw participation from around 1,000 individuals, including NMCG officials and staff, NGOs under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP-III) of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, members of Ganga Vichar Manch, various other NGOs, students, and children. The Namami Gange Programme extended these celebrations to 139 locations across the Ganga Basin.
District Ganga Committees, in coordination with the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG), yoga trainers, Ganga Praharis, Ganga Vichar Manch, Ganga Task Force, Ganga Doots, students, and local officials, participated in yoga sessions along the banks of the River Ganga and its tributaries. The theme ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ was central to the day’s events, highlighting how personal health practices through yoga can lead to greater societal harmony and unity.
A notable feature of this year’s celebration was the Bhuvan Yoga App, launched by the Ministry of AYUSH and developed by ISRO. Through this app, participants shared their yoga experiences and photos from various locations. Utilizing crowd-sourced real-time data and geospatial technology, the app provided enhanced spatial intelligence and visualization, enriching the yoga experience.
The event underscored yoga’s potential to bring about personal transformation and social cohesion. By promoting physical and mental well-being, yoga practices contribute to a healthier, more harmonious society. The NMCG’s initiative to celebrate International Yoga Day along the banks of the Yamuna and Ganga rivers symbolizes the deep connection between yoga, nature, and cultural heritage.
The enthusiastic participation of diverse groups, from BSF personnel to school children, reflects yoga’s universal appeal and its ability to bridge different segments of society. This collective practice not only enhances individual health but also reinforces the importance of community and environmental stewardship.
The ‘Ghat Par Yoga’ event, along with the broader celebrations across the Ganga Basin, highlights the role of yoga in promoting a balanced and harmonious life. As participants engaged in yoga sessions, they also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the cultural and natural heritage of India’s rivers. This alignment of personal health practices with environmental conservation efforts showcases the holistic vision of the NMCG and its dedication to fostering a sustainable and healthy society.
In conclusion, the International Day of Yoga celebration organized by the NMCG serves as a powerful reminder of yoga’s transformative potential. By integrating personal well-being with social and environmental responsibility, yoga offers a path to a more harmonious and sustainable future.
