Yoga Day Marks Unity and Harmony at Delhi's Riverbanks

In a significant event marking the International Day of Yoga, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized "Ghat Par Yoga" at the BSF kayaking camp along the Yamuna's banks. This year's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," aimed to highlight the dual advantages of yoga in improving individual well-being and promoting social harmony. Rajeev Mittal, Director General of NMCG, took this opportunity to recall Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic call at the 69th United Nations General Assembly in 2014 for the establishment of International Yoga Day.

Mittal spoke about yoga's deep-rooted significance as a unique Indian spiritual science that enhances both mental and physical health. He pointed out that yoga's diverse expressions across different cultures give it a unique identity, bridging gaps between individuals, 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," Mittal stated.

The event saw participation from approximately 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 expanded these celebrations to 139 locations across the Ganga Basin.

District Ganga Committees worked in coordination with State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG), yoga trainers, Ganga Praharis, Ganga Vichar Manch, Ganga Task Force, Ganga Doots, students, and local officials to conduct yoga sessions along the banks of the River Ganga and its tributaries. The central theme of "Yoga for Self and Society" underscored how adopting yoga as a personal health practice can contribute to broader societal harmony and unity.

A highlight of this year's celebration was the introduction of the Bhuvan Yoga App by the Ministry of AYUSH, developed in collaboration with ISRO. This app allowed participants to share their yoga experiences and photos from various locations. By leveraging crowd-sourced real-time data and geospatial technology, the app offered enhanced spatial intelligence and visualization capabilities, thereby enriching participants' yoga experiences.

The International Day of Yoga serves as a reminder of yoga's potential to unite people by promoting health, peace, and harmony. Through events like "Ghat Par Yoga," NMCG not only celebrates this ancient practice but also reinforces its commitment to societal well-being and environmental conservation.