City beautiful revels in the 2nd International Day of Yoga celebrations

Chandigarh, 21^st June, 2016: City beautiful, Chandigarh ushered in a Yogic mode today as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi celebrated the 2^nd International Day of Yoga at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh. Over 30, 000 people who have been rehearsing for this momentous event for the past few days, included 10,000 participants each from Chandigarh, Punjab & Haryana.

The grand event began with the arrival of the Hon’ble Prime Minister at 6.35 am and concluded with a 45 minutes Yoga demonstration of Common Yoga Protocol. The emphasis this year was on the participation of 150 Divyangs, youth and people from weaker sections of the society, who added up to the greatness of the event. Thousands of colourful mats were laid out in the Capitol Complex where thousands of people were seen twisting, bending and stretching with the Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Welcoming the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor of Haryana and Punjab & Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, presented Sh. Narendra Modi with a statuette created by Anuj Saini, son of Chandigarh's famed Rock Garden’s creator, Nek Chand. The statuette depicted a mudra of Vrikshasana. Punjab Chief Minister Sh. Parkash Singh Badal, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar, Chandigarh MP Smt. Kirron Kher and Union minister Sh. Shripad Yesso Naik, were also present at the grand event.

Addressing people at Capitol Complex in Chandigarh before a mass yoga session Hon’ble Prime Minister said, “Right now all parts of the country are participating in the Yoga Day celebrations. June 21 was chosen as International Day of Yoga, as in many parts of the world, it is the longest day. Of the many occasions universally recognised by the UN and observed across the world, there is probably none that can compete with International Yoga Day in terms of how revolutionary it is and the extent to which it has been accepted worldwide.”

He further added, “Let’s focus on one thing in the coming days and that is how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. Diabetes can surely be controlled through Yoga.” "It will be an achievement if we can help in treating diabetes through the ancient spiritual discipline.”  

Hon’ble Prime Minister also announced two awards on a national-level and international-level on the occasion. One for excellence in promotion of yoga within the country, and another for similar promotion of yoga worldwide. Anybody -- be it an individual or an organisation -- will be eligible for it and the awards will be given to the recipients on the next Yoga Day.

Apart from the grand event at Capitol Complex, yoga was also performed at 100 different locations across the city through Live LED screens. The event was attended by defence forces, ITBP personnel, Panjab University students, yoga foundations, school children and a select few from yoga orientation training camps held at various locations since past one month.

Apart from the celebrations at the Capitol Complex, the Chandigarh Administration left no stone unturned to make the day a success and had planned events across 100 locations in the city. As a curtain raiser for the grand event, Chandigarh Administration had organized a 4 day Chandigarh Yoga Festival from 9^th-12^th June, 2016. The Yoga Festival witnessed a series of National and International level events, which revolved around Yoga, its history, importance and evolution. The Governor Haryana, Punjab and Administrator, U.T., Chandigarh, H.E. Kaptan Singh Solanki unveiled the Mascot for Chandigarh Yoga Festival on 8^th June 2016. The Mascot is the State Animal of Chandigarh- Indian Grey Mongoose and is named Yogi.

The four day curtain raiser event of the Chandigarh Administration was inaugurated at Parade Ground, Sector 17, Chandigarh with the public address on “Yoga-The True Dimension” by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, founder, Art of Living. Second Day started with a Symposium on “Yoga for Good” held at CII, Chandigarh. The 3^rd day saw a spectacular 3D mapping show, Yoga-The Tree of Life at Sukhna Lake by Skyads along with a moonlight yoga performed by people gathered in huge numbers. The 3D musical presentation was first of its kind initiative in the city beautiful, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the residents of the city.

The last day saw yoga and medicine session held at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chandigarh witnessing distinguished speakers from Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Patanjali Ayurveda and IGIB. They spoke on topics ranging from yoga's scientific effect on headache, reversal of heart block, characterizing the Prakrit Gunas by genotyping and deliberated on educational models to boost patient centric medical practice which is more integrative and affordable. The chairperson summarized the discussions and recommendations by suggesting the use of modern molecular tools to generate scientific evidence about yoga and Ayurveda which is not possible with stand alone Ayush Hospitals. Known for popularizing yoga worldwide, Baba Ramdev ji, the spiritual leader added his excellent remarks about the symposium by saying that Yoga is the true medium to enlighten everyone, and this three day symposium that invited learned speakers from diverse fields to talk about Yoga was a great initiative by Chandigarh Administration. He further told the audiences about benefits of Yoga and how a Yogi should be balanced. As a concluding note, Baba Ramdev ji encouraged everyone to stay ageless, active and happy.

During the Chandigarh Yoga Festival the residents of Chandigarh were introduced to the 360 degree view photo experience exclusively. Through this, Chandigarh Administration became the first Indian government body to introduce the 360 degree view live photo feature to its numerous portals. 

The Art of Living, Chandigarh Chapter also took active part and organized a free yoga session in co-ordination with the Chandigarh Administration and The Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development for rickshaw pullers of the city at Rose Garden. The camp was organized for the first time in the city with an initiative towards uplifting the health and the mind of all the sections of the society. Various online competitions and activities were organized by the Chandigarh Administration for huge participation and success of the 2^nd International Day of Yoga 2016”.

On 17^th May, 2016 Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Haryana & Administrator U.T. Chandigarh, Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki launched the official website for registration of the 2nd International Yoga Day along with the Online Registration Facility, Mobile App, Toll Free Number, Facebook Page, Twitter Page, Instagram & Youtube Channel.

Several Yoga Orientation Programmes were held throughout the city at 180 different locations. Certified yoga instructors and experts imparted training as per the 45 minutes yoga protocol, chalked out by the Ministry of AYUSH for the main event. The volunteers consisted of yoga experts from PATANJALI YOGPEETH, who was officially appointed by the Government of India to coordinate and assist Chandigarh Administration in organizing the grand event of Yoga Day. Other institutes who supported this event were Art of Living, Yoga Vidya Maha Samiti, Brahmrishi Yoga Training College, International Brahmrishi Mission and Isha Foundation.