Sports Dept holds yoga sessions ahead of mega show on June 21

Following the directives of state authorities, the local office of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare conducted yoga practice sessions across various sports nurseries, stadiums and public venues in the district on Sunday. According to official figures, a total of 2,610 individuals participated in the sessions.

The initiative is part of a state-wide preparation drive for the grand celebration of the 11th International Yoga Day on June 21. The state-level event will be held at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra and will be graced by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, and other dignitaries. The occasion will also feature a special address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sanjeev Verma, Director-General of the Department of Sports, reported that a total of 1,01,842 people took part in yoga sessions organised by the Sports Department across various districts on Sunday.

“Participation figures include 14,300 from Gurugram, 12,250 from Mahendragarh, 9,885 from Bhiwani, 6,000 from Rohtak, 8,000 from Sonepat, 5,050 each from Hisar and Yamunanagar, 4,180 from Nuh, and 2,600 from Rewari,” Verma added.

He said alongside the Sports Department, other government departments were also conducting similar sessions throughout the state.

“In total, 1,37,468 individuals participated in Sunday’s yoga sessions, and 2,640 saplings were planted across Haryana. The June 21 event aims at realising the Chief Minister’s vision of a ‘Yogayukt-Nasha Mukt Haryana’ (Yoga-Integrated, Addiction-Free Haryana) while promoting a healthy lifestyle among the youth and the general public,” he noted.

Verma, who also serves as the Director-General of the Ayush Department, stated that Ayush had already undertaken several initiatives and was in full preparation mode for International Yoga Day. “A range of activities have been launched to build momentum for the celebrations. Three-day training programmes were successfully conducted for DPE/PTIs of the Education Department from May 26 to 28, and for schoolchildren from May 28 to 30. Additionally, Jan Bhagidari (public participation) events have been underway since May 29, involving departments such as secondary education, higher education, police, jails, Army, and others, witnessing enthusiastic daily participation by thousands,” Verma added.