Intro
Thousands gathered at Murugarajendra Stadium for International Yoga Day, focusing on healthy aging and daily yoga practice.
CHITRADURGA
The 12th International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the city’s Murugarajendra Stadium. Thousands of residents gathered for a mass practice session to promote the event’s theme: “Yoga for Healthy Old Age.”
Legislative Council member K.S. Naveen inaugurated the event, stressing that yoga is essential for building a disease-free society. He warned that many people neglect their physical health during their youth, only to spend their life savings on medical bills during their later years. “If you adopt healthy habits today, your old age will be happy,” Naveen stated. He urged the district administration to launch year-round training programs for students to ensure yoga becomes a daily lifestyle, rather than a single-day event.
Additional District Collector B.T. Kumaraswamy echoed these sentiments, noting the alarming rise in health issues among the youth. He remarked that modern life has become far too fast-paced, leading to heart attacks and chronic diseases at younger ages. He encouraged the younger generation to shift their focus toward yoga to restore longevity and mental peace.
The AYUSH department introduced the “Yoga for 365 Days” initiative, offering online resources for daily practice. The celebration featured demonstrations by yoga teacher Basavaraj and a unique yoga-based dance performed by Ayurveda college students. Additionally, Naveen administered a public oath against drug abuse as part of the “Drug-Free India” campaign. The event successfully highlighted India’s gift of yoga to the world, inspiring thousands to prioritize wellness.