SHILLONG: Hundreds in the city and across the State joined the rest of the country and the world in celebrating the second International Yoga Day on Tuesday.
The Shillongites stretched themselves in various postures and visibly enjoyed every moment of what was a celebration of Yoga. From school children to the elderly, people from all walks of life twisted their bodies in complex positions in celebration of the International Yoga Day.
Active participation by Guv
Governor V Shanmuganathan was seen actively participating in the events and took part in the proceedings in three centres– ARC Happy Valley, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture and Ward’s Lake.
Nalin Kohli pleased
BJP leader Nalin Kohli, who was in the city to take part in the International Yoga Day celebrations, congratulated the people of Shillong for coming out in large numbers to mark the occasion. Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Kohli said that it was a matter of pride that yoga had become a global movement.
He said that the number of people celebrating the event has increased significantly this year.
He also asked people not to play politics over yoga, saying, it would be sad if people link yoga to religious denominations.
Meanwhile, a number of social organizations, educational institutes and offices also organised yoga sessions on this occasion.
AoL event
As part of the day, Art of Living Shillong organised various camps in the city in collaboration with the Nehru Yuva Kendra at Asom Kristi Kendra, Dhankheti where hundreds of people from all age groups participated. Another event was held at the office premises of Chief Engineer Shillong zone-MES, where jawans and officers did yoga separately in two different venues. Later, the Art of Living also conducted another yoga camp in collaboration with Synod College.
NEHU joins in
The North Eastern Hill University also celebrated the day with much enthusiasm. On the occasion, Swami Arpit from Art of Living, Guwahati and Swami Achyutanand Maharaj of Ramakrishna Mission, Shillong outlined the philosophical underpinnings of yoga and its benefits for human body, mind and character besides that of individual peace and happiness and that of world peace.
The International Yoga Day was also observed in the North Eastern Police Academy.
The office of the Accountant General (Audit), Meghalaya, also organised a Yoga camp on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the North Eastern Council also celebrated the International Yoga Day joining millions across the country and the world.
The NSS unit of Shillong College also conducted a programme to mark the day in the college campus on Tuesday.
The Cantonment Board, Shillong also celebrated the Yoga Day.
Along with the rest of the world, the underprivileged children of SPARK too observed the day with enthusiasm.
The students of St Mary’s College and police personnel from Laban Police station also took part in Yoga exercises.
RKM celebrations
Elsewhere, the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Cherrapunjee also celebrated the occasion at the Ashrama premises in Sohra by conducting competitions among 10 schools of the East Khasi Hills and one from Jantia Hills.
The BSF Meghalaya Frontier also took part in the celebrations.
West, South West Khasi Hills join in
In West Khasi Hills, the Sibsingh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School joined the rest of the world in the Yoga Day celebrations.
In Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills, the Maharam Government Higher Secondary School observed the International Yoga Day. H.S. Diengdoh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills was present on the occasion.
The International Yoga Day was also celebrated at Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Upper Shillong.
Joining hands with the rest of the world, the International Yoga Day was also celebrated at NSCA, Indoor Stadium Nongpoh. People from all walks of life participated in the event.
Jaintia Hills participates
Along with the rest of the world, the event was marked with enthusiasm in various parts of Jaintia Hills too. In Jowai, the Thomas Jones Synod College led by its NSS and NCC units organised yoga sessions.
The Art of Living, Jowai also observed the day at Yung-walieh Dulong, Jowai and Pohmusiang SSA UP School, Lumiongkjam.
The day was also observed in rural areas including in Shangpung, Raliang, Thadmuthlong and in Mihmyntdu. In East Jaintia Hills, the International Day of Yoga was observed in Jaintia Eastern College, Seinjait Tuber Secondary School and also at Meghalaya Cement Limited (Topcem).
The Jaintia Eastern College, NSS Unit in collaboration with the District Administration also marked the occasion. The Seinjait Tuber Secondary School observed the day.