Kolkata: The state govt has made participation in the International Day of Yoga celebrations on June 21 mandatory for all categories of govt employees, according to a directive issued by the chief secretary on June 14.The directive states that govt employees will have to attend Yoga Day programmes from 6.30 am to 7.45 am at their respective offices, residential campuses or designated venues, including Red Road and Milan Mela in Kolkata, if nominated for those locations. The directive applies to all officers and employees of the state govt, including permanent staff, contractual employees, part-time workers, daily-wage and casual workers, outsourced personnel, honorarium-based workers, as well as employees of public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and local bodies.The order further directs all heads of departments, divisional commissioners, DMs and heads of offices to ensure participation of all personnel “without fail”. This year’s main Yoga Day event in Kolkata will be held on Sunday at Red Road, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. The International Day of Yoga has been observed globally on June 21 since it was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2014 following a proposal by India. Since then, PM Modi has led Yoga Day celebrations, promoting the practice as a means of improving physical and mental well-being.
