Shillong, June 21 (IANS) Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday led around 1,000 Indian Air Force and Army personnel in a mass yoga session at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Meghalaya’s Shillong to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY), highlighting yoga’s role in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being and emotional resilience.

The event witnessed the participation of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia and General Officer Commanding Headquarters 101 Area Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa.

Addressing the gathering, Singh described yoga as a holistic science and a way of life that helps individuals connect with themselves, society, nature and the divine. “Yoga is not merely a form of exercise. It is a holistic science and an art of living that leads a person towards inner stability, mental clarity and emotional resilience,” the Defence Minister said.

He noted that yoga has emerged as a global movement and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for popularising the ancient Indian practice across the world.

In a post on social media platform X, Singh said the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership and sustained efforts had helped transform yoga into a worldwide movement for health and wellness.

He added that yoga symbolises the strength of India’s ancient traditions and contributes to the well-being of humanity.

The Defence Minister urged citizens to make yoga a part of their daily routine, saying that a healthy body and a calm mind are essential for building a strong nation.

Participants at the Shillong event also watched the Prime Minister’s International Day of Yoga address, which was broadcast live from Kolkata’s historic Red Road. Similar yoga sessions were organised simultaneously at several forward military locations, reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment of defence personnel towards the annual observance.

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan led Yoga Day celebrations at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

Senior military officers, including the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, along with their families, took part in the programme organised by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.

In New Delhi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence also participated in yoga sessions.

Aligned with this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, more than 10,000 Defence Accounts Department officials across the country joined a virtual mass yoga event aimed at promoting overall health and well-being.

–IANS

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