Army, Assam Rifles hold Yoga sessions in NE states
Itanagar/Imphal, June 20 As part of the week-long celebrations leading up to the 12th International Yoga Day 2026, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles on Saturday organised yoga sessions across several Northeastern states, promoting physical well-being, mental resilience and the spirit of holistic living, officials said.
Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that Spearhead Division under the Spear Corps conducted a special yoga session with North Eastern Frontier Technical University (NEFTU), Aalo, in the picturesque Siyom Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. The morning session, lasting over an hour, witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 100 students and Army personnel.
According to the spokesman, the event brought together young men and women from the university alongside soldiers in a shared endeavour towards physical fitness, mental well-being and holistic health. Participants practised various yoga postures, breathing exercises, and wellness techniques to improve flexibility, concentration, emotional balance, and overall fitness.
Conducted amidst the serene surroundings of Siyom Valley, the event reflected the Indian Army's continued commitment towards youth engagement, wellness awareness and military-civil synergy. The initiative also reinforced the message of harmony, unity and collective well-being that forms the essence of International Yoga Day.
In Manipur, Assam Rifles organised a series of comprehensive yoga sessions and community wellness activities across multiple districts of the state. Another defence spokesman said that these widespread events aligned with the global theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing", focusing on enhancing longevity, preventive healthcare and life discipline across all age groups.
The extensive wellness campaign successfully covered remote and border regions across Churachandpur, Kakching, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts. In Churachandpur, the central event was held at Khuga and Veng, with parallel sessions running simultaneously across all local operating bases.
In Kakching, the initiative was spearheaded at the Pallel Garrison, while outreach across Tengnoupal brought together people in Moreh, Kwatha, Sita, and at the RRC Khudengthabi base. Simultaneously, service personnel and locals joined the movement at Modi and Chandel towns within the Chandel district.
The multi-location celebrations witnessed a massive turnout of approximately 2,372 participants, including 1,892 security personnel and civil officials. Local villagers, schoolchildren, family members, NCC cadets, and Agniveer aspirants also joined. At Moreh in Tengnoupal district, officials from the Border Security Force, Immigration Bureau and Integrated Check Post staff participated alongside locals.
At the Pallel Garrison, Mrs Elangbam Anita, a senior faculty member of the Art of Living International Organisation, led participants through specialised yoga asanas, deep-breathing techniques and meditation routines aimed at stress relief and mental focus.
Assam Rifles also utilised its community radio station, CRS Radio Highway, to broadcast a special wellness podcast and radio programme from Pallel, educating the wider public on healthy lifestyle choices and stress management.
In Tripura, the Radhanagar Battalion of Assam Rifles organised yoga sessions at the iconic tourist destinations of Unakoti Rock Carvings and Jampui Hills. A defence spokesman said the sessions were held in the serene surroundings of the two renowned locations, providing an ideal environment for promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and holistic health.
Participants performed various yoga asanas and pranayama exercises to enhance flexibility, concentration, relaxation, and overall wellness.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Love how they involved Art of Living faculty and used community radio to spread the message! 🧘♀️ Yoga for healthy ageing is such a relevant theme for India where our elderly population is growing. But I wish they'd also focus on making it accessible for people with disabilities in these remote areas. Inclusion matters! 🌸
Honestly, while I appreciate the intent, I'm a bit skeptical about military organizations leading yoga sessions. Yoga is about inner peace and non-violence, which sits oddly with armed forces. Also, couldn't this budget be better spent on actual healthcare infrastructure in these underserved regions? Just saying.
Brilliant move by Assam Rifles! As someone from Manipur, I know how tense things can get sometimes. This kind of community engagement - especially in border districts like Moreh and Chandel - helps normalise relations between locals and security forces. The radio broadcast is a smart touch too. Yoga unites us all! 🇮🇳
The Siyom Valley is such a stunning location for yoga! Those 100 students from NEFTU must have had an amazing experience. I really hope this becomes a regular thing, not just a once-a-year event during Yoga Day. Some ongoing wellness programs in the Northeast would do wonders for mental health and community bonding. 🙏
Wow, 2,372 participants across multiple districts! That's impressive logistics. But I'd love to see more transparency about how these events are organised and whether local communities were genuinely involved in planning. The Northeast often gets token gestures
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