SHILLONG, June 21: Meghalaya celebrated the 7th International Day of Yoga 2021 in a virtual fest on Monday as simultaneous yoga sessions were organised across all parts of the state with yogis/yoginis exhibiting tremendous passion and zeal for the practice.
From universities and colleges to the general public, all performed various asanas in small groups on the day while keeping in mind the physical distancing guidelines.
The North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of AYUSH, conducted a yoga session under the theme ‘Yoga for Wellness’ and sub-theme ‘Be with Yoga, Be at Home’, at the institute campus in Mawdiangdiang, New Shillong Township.
Mission, Laitumkhrah (ST)
During the programme at NEIAH, Prof PK Goswami, Director of the institute, delivered a lecture on ‘Patanjali Yoga and Upanishad Concept’, while Dr Vijay Kumar, Associate Professor, NEIAH, spoke on the topic ‘Yoga (Pranayama) – A boon for Covid-19’ , which were live-streamed through YouTube for online participants.
The NEIAH also organised a webinar on Sunday through Google Meet and YouTube.
At the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, a large number of students participated in the celebration of the occasion from their residences and hostels virtually.
Moreover, the university officials including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and others, besides non-teaching staff and their families also participated in the event.
In the city, the NSS Unit of Shillong Law College in collaboration with The Art of Living, Shillong, as part of the celebration of the Internation Day of Yoga, organised a virtual training progamme on ‘Yoga Practices: Its Importance and Implementations during COVID-19 Pandemic’.
Suparna Mordani, senior faculty at the Art of Living, a life couch, a wellness trainer and meditation expert, besides Prasanjot Dey, a certified yoga and wellness teacher from Sri Sri RadhaSchool of Yoga and Ministry of AYUSH, were the two instructors of the event.
Also, The Shillong College NCC units of 2 MEGH Bn NCC and 61 MEGH Bn NCC celebrated the occasion in a virtual programme attended by the NCC cadets, teaching staff of the college, Principal E Kharkongor, students from the college and other invitees. Two active Yogi instructors from Gayatri Pariwar in Haridwar — Shailesh Kumar Gaur and his colleague Rahul Kumar — provided yoga lessons and demonstrations to cadets and other participants. One of the instructors, Shailesh also stressed on the importance of Yoga in relieving stress and how it is one of the key measures of defence against this COVID-19 pandemic. He later also made all participants take an oath of giving their bodies at least 15 minutes daily to care for it.
Joining in with others on the day, NIT Meghalaya organised an early morning yoga session to celebrate the occasion along with its faculties and students. The online event was also attended by NIT Meghalaya Director, BB Biswal, who in his address said “Yoga is an exercise of the mind and body which needs to be performed the right way”.
G Solophin Sharma (yoga therapist), founder of Shirui Yoga, demonstrated important aspects of the practice and also made participants perform some yoga positions.
On the other hand, the NCC and NSS units of the Buddha Bhanu Saraswati (BBS) College celebrated the day by organising an online programme on Google Meet.
In his address to the participants numbering more than 100, which included faculties, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and the students, Sanjay Rana, Principal of the college, appreciated the efforts for making the event successful.
The principal, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of yoga and advised everyone to regularly perform Yoga.
The chief instructor of the programme was Yog Guru Akash Gupta, who demonstrated different types of yoga and explained the benefit of them to the participants.
Meanwhile, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Meghalaya, in association with Patanjali Yog Samiti and Bharat Swabhiman Trust, Meghalaya, and supported by Metallica-Sargam Sports & Cultural Club and Meghandini Mahila Samiti, celebrated the 7th International Day of Yoga online involving youths and elderly people from across the state.
As many as 49 female and 87 male participants joined the programme held on Google Meet.
The State Prabhari of Patanjali Yog Family was the chief guest while the Director of NYKS was the guest of honour.