- Health Minister Ashok Singhal held an online meeting

Guwahati, 21 May (HS): State Health Minister Ashok Singhal on Wednesday held a review meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Co-Deputy Commissioners of all districts through video conferencing regarding the organization of International Yoga Day (IDY) 2025. Commissioner-Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Dr. P. Ashok Babu and AYUSH Director Indranoshi Das were also present in this meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said that yoga should not be adopted only for June 21, but it should be adopted every day throughout the year. He called upon the officials to run awareness campaigns to make yoga an integral part of life and actively connect people. He said that Yoga Day should be taken beyond a formal event and turned into a vibrant public festival, in which all sections of the society participate.

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21, which marks the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. The theme of this year is “One Earth One Health”, which underlines the deep connection between personal health and the health of the earth.

The main state-level event will be held this time at Salbari in Baksa district. The venue has been approved by the Chief Minister after a joint inspection by the Director of AYUSH and the Commissioner of Baksa. All districts have been instructed to ensure public participation and publicity to make the program a success.

Along with the state-level event, there will be programs at the district and sub-district level in all 35 districts. These will include yoga demonstrations, awareness rallies, cultural presentations, and yoga competitions. Schools, colleges, panchayats and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will play a major role in these programs.

As part of the grand celebration of IDY 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH is launching several innovative initiatives. These include Yoga Sangam: Simultaneous yoga performance at 1,00,000 locations across the world, setting a new world record. Yoga Bandhan: Yoga sessions with international collaboration at iconic sites in 10 countries. Yoga Samavesh: Special yoga programs for Divyangjan, senior citizens, children and underprivileged sections. Green Yoga: Plantation and cleanliness drive with yoga. Yoga Prabhav: 10-year review of the impact of yoga on public health. Yoga Connect Virtual Global Summit: Conference of world's leading yogacharyas and health experts. Yoga Unplugged: Engaging activities and challenges for youth. Yoga Maha Kumbh: Week-long celebration at 10 locations, culminating in the presence of the Prime Minister. Sanyogham: 100-day special campaign to strengthen community-level health by combining modern medicine and yoga.

Parts of these initiatives will also be organized in various districts of Assam, giving priority to the participation of youth and all communities. Special countdown programs will also be conducted before June 21.

Yoga Asana competitions will be organized in four age groups based on the Common Yoga Protocol. These programs will be conducted under the supervision of the Commissioner and in coordination with the District Nodal Officer (AYUSH). All participants will be given certificates and winners will be felicitated in the presence of local dignitaries.

The Health Minister called upon all officials to coordinate with educational institutions, armed forces, NCC, NSS, local bodies, NGOs and yoga institutions to ensure maximum participation. He informed that a comprehensive media campaign will also be launched soon in print, digital and outdoor mediums to promote yoga.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash