Varanasi: A series of Yoga events were organised at different places in the holy city to celebrate the International Yoga Day on Sunday. Besides district and police administration, yoga sessions were organised by different institutions including Banaras Hindu University, IIT-BHU, Banaras Locomotive Works, Railways, CRPF, Army Recruiting Office and other organisations. The programme organised at the Kashi Vidyapeeth ground was inaugurated by Ravindra Jaiswal, UP minister (independent charge). From 6 to 6.30 am, common yoga protocol was demonstrated from the stage by trained practitioners, after which, everyone watched the telecast of the Prime Minister’s yoga session. The event was attended by participants in a large number. At Banaras Hindu University, enthusiastic participation was witnessed at Malaviya Bhavan. Organised in accordance with this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Living’, the event was attended by a large number of university students, faculty, officials and other staff members. Cadets from the National Cadet Corps, volunteers from the National Service Scheme and students of yoga course at Malaviya Bhavan participated. Group yoga was led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi in which participants performed Setubandhasana , Pavanamuktasana and Bhujangasana. Following the group yoga session, the main International Yoga Day ceremony was held, in which speakers shared their views on the philosophical, practical and contemporary significance of yoga.A grand event was organized at Varanasi Police Lines, where police commissioner Mohit Agrawal conveyed message of health and fitness. Yoga sessions were also organised at a number of police stations.At the Community Centre of Varanasi Junction, Northern Railway, additional DRM, Varanasi, Northern Railway, Brajesh Kumar Yadav, led the session. At the Army Recruiting Office (ARO) Varanasi, officers, JCOs and employees collectively performed yoga, led by Colonel Shailesh Kumar and resolved to imbibe the importance of the ancient practice. At Transit Hostel, Varanasi, the session was conducted for judicial officers of Varanasi District Court by yoga instructors Shreya Seth and Dinesh Kumar Maurya. District Judge and Chairman, District Legal Services Authority Varanasi, Sanjeev Shukla chaired the event. Under the aegis of personnel department, yoga programmes were organised with the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’ at the Varanasi Division and at major stations, training centres and diesel lobby of the division. At the Officers’ Club located at Lahartara in the Varanasi Division, DRM Ashish Jain, branch officers and senior railway officers along with their family members performed yoga.
