Kashmir Impulse Desk

Leh, June 21

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday said the people of Ladakh exemplify the true spirit of yoga through their resilience, simplicity and close relationship with nature, describing the Himalayan region as a living reflection of the values that underpin the ancient Indian practice.

Addressing International Day of Yoga celebrations in Leh, Radhakrishnan said life in Ladakh’s challenging terrain naturally cultivates endurance, discipline and adaptability – qualities that yoga seeks to develop and strengthen.

The Vice President participated in a mass yoga session attended by civil and military officials, students, yoga practitioners and members of the local community against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains.

“People of Ladakh have long exemplified resilience, simplicity and harmony with nature, values that resonate deeply with the philosophy of yoga,” he said.

The remarks came as India marked the 12th International Day of Yoga with large-scale events across the country and abroad under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which focuses on promoting physical well-being, mental health, and active lifestyles among an aging population.

Radhakrishnan said yoga was far more than a physical exercise routine and represented a comprehensive system developed through centuries of spiritual inquiry by India’s sages.

He said the practice offers a holistic approach to health by nurturing the body, calming the mind and elevating human consciousness.

Drawing attention to demographic changes underway in India, the Vice President said increasing life expectancy had created new challenges and responsibilities for policymakers and society alike.

Citing findings from the India Ageing Report 2023, he noted that nearly one-fifth of India’s population is projected to be elderly by 2050.

“The challenge before us is not merely to add years to life but to add life to those years,” he said, describing yoga as an effective tool for promoting healthy ageing and improving quality of life.

The Vice President also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with elevating yoga onto the global stage through India’s successful initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The proposal led to the adoption of June 21 as International Day of Yoga with support from more than 175 countries, making it one of the most widely supported resolutions in UN history.

He said the international acceptance of yoga reflected growing recognition of the need for preventive healthcare and holistic approaches to well-being in a world increasingly affected by stress, sedentary lifestyles and mental health challenges.

Earlier in the day, Radhakrishnan visited the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre in Leh, where he praised the institution’s contribution to education, healthcare, environmental sustainability and social welfare.

He commended Buddhist leader Bhikkhu Sanghasena for promoting a model that combines spiritual values with humanitarian service and community development.

Among those present at the yoga celebrations were Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, Member of Parliament Muhammad Haneefa, senior civil servants, military officers and representatives of local institutions.

The Vice President urged people across the country to make yoga a part of their daily routine, saying its benefits extended beyond physical health to social harmony, emotional stability and inner peace.

As India continues to position yoga as a global public good, Ladakh’s participation in the celebrations underscored the growing role of remote Himalayan regions in promoting wellness tourism, traditional knowledge systems and sustainable lifestyles.