Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 21

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said yoga has emerged as a powerful instrument for promoting physical health, mental resilience and social well-being, urging people to make the ancient practice a part of their daily lives as J&K joined the rest of the country in celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga.

Addressing thousands of participants gathered along the banks of the iconic Dal Lake, Sinha said yoga had transcended geographical, cultural and religious boundaries to become a global movement for holistic health.

The event, held against the backdrop of the Zabarwan hills and Dal Lake, was among the largest yoga gatherings organised in Jammu and Kashmir this year and brought together people from diverse backgrounds, including students, government officials, healthcare professionals, security personnel and citizens from different walks of life.

“Yoga truly unites the world and guides us towards a healthier and happier future,” Sinha said while extending greetings to participants.

The celebrations were held under the global theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which seeks to highlight yoga’s role in enhancing quality of life and promoting healthy lifestyles amid rising concerns over stress-related disorders, sedentary living and non-communicable diseases.

Sinha said true health extended beyond physical fitness and required a balance between body, mind and emotions.

“In today’s world, where our attention is constantly pulled towards screens, pressures and distractions, yoga teaches us to turn inward and reconnect with ourselves,” he said.

He described yoga not merely as a physical exercise regimen but as a comprehensive system that enables individuals to better understand their thoughts, emotions and relationship with nature.

The Lieutenant Governor said scientific studies conducted over the years had increasingly demonstrated the benefits of regular yoga practice in reducing stress, improving concentration, strengthening memory and enhancing emotional stability.

“While our minds often remain trapped between past worries and future anxieties, yoga teaches us to remain rooted in the present moment,” he said.

He noted that modern healthcare experts across the world now recognise yoga as an effective lifestyle intervention capable of reducing the burden of several chronic illnesses linked to contemporary lifestyles.

Sinha said good health could not be purchased and must instead be cultivated through discipline and consistency.

“Just as a plant requires regular care and nourishment, the body and mind need daily discipline. Yoga provides that discipline,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also linked yoga with the administration’s broader social initiatives, particularly efforts aimed at tackling substance abuse among young people.

He said yoga had emerged as an important component of the government’s campaign against drug addiction by contributing both to prevention and rehabilitation.

“Yoga is helping drive real change in the movement for a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. It strengthens mental resilience, promotes self-control and helps individuals rebuild their lives,” he said.

Referring to the growing international acceptance of yoga, Sinha credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts for transforming the ancient Indian practice into a worldwide movement.

He said India’s traditional knowledge systems had long advocated holistic approaches to health and well-being, and that yoga’s global recognition reflected the continuing relevance of those ideas.

The event also featured a live telecast of Prime Minister Modi’s address from Kolkata, where he led the national celebrations marking International Day of Yoga.

Among those attending the programme were Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, senior civil servants, police officers and representatives of various departments.

Officials from the AYUSH Department said similar yoga sessions were organised across districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including educational institutions, healthcare centres and public spaces, as part of efforts to expand access to yoga and wellness practices.

The large turnout at Dal Lake highlighted the growing popularity of yoga in Jammu and Kashmir, where participation in annual yoga events has steadily increased over the past decade.

As the session concluded, participants described the event as both a celebration of health and a reminder of the role yoga can play in fostering individual well-being and social harmony.