Bhubaneswar, 15 June (H.S.): Odisha on Monday inaugurated a week-long Yoga Festival at the Kalinga Stadium Indoor Athletics Centre as part of its preparations for International Yoga Day 2026, aiming to promote health, wellness, and mass participation across the state.
The initiative has been jointly organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department and the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti. It was formally inaugurated by Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia.
The yoga camps will continue from June 15 to June 20, bringing together citizens, government officials, and yoga enthusiasts from Bhubaneswar and various parts of Odisha. The festival will culminate in a large-scale event at Kalinga Stadium on June 21, marking the 12th International Yoga Day.
The programme is being conducted under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, with coordination at the grassroots level by members of the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, including Alok Das, Debakanta Behera, and Premananda Nath.
Inaugurating the festival, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life. He said that regular practice of yoga enhances physical fitness and mental well-being, ultimately contributing to a healthier society.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting yoga as a global wellness movement under the theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), which has significantly expanded the reach of International Yoga Day worldwide.
The state government has also highlighted the use of modern technology, including artificial intelligence and mobile applications, to make yoga more accessible, particularly among youth. The initiative seeks to encourage sustained digital engagement and promote yoga as a lifestyle practice rather than a one-day observance.
The Ministry of Ayush, in coordination with the state government, is working to expand participation in rural and border areas this year. It also aims to significantly increase overall participation compared to previous editions, with plans for large-scale digital integration that could potentially set a new Guinness World Record.
Senior officials, including Special Secretary Ashok Kumar Panda, Additional Secretaries Bijay Kumar Swain and Sudhakar Nayak, along with other departmental representatives, attended the inaugural ceremony.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
