Tamil Nadu celebrates International Yoga Day with mass participation, Governor joins session at TNAU
Coimbatore, June 21
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University celebrated International Yoga Day on Sunday, with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar participating in the programme alongside 1,564 students on the university grounds.
The event was organised as part of the nationwide observance of International Yoga Day, which is marked annually on June 21.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Arlekar highlighted the importance of yoga and spoke to the students in English. He encouraged them to embrace yoga as part of their daily lives.
After the programme, the Governor extended his wishes to the students and posed for photographs with them.
A Mimusops elengi (Spanish Cherry) sapling was also planted on the occasion.
Meanwhile, thousands of people, including children, gathered on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to mark the occasion through a mass yoga programme.
In Hubballi, BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai joined party leaders and workers for Yoga Day celebrations at Nrupatunga Betta.
Further south, participants assembled at the Kadri Shri Manjunatha Temple in Mangaluru, where yoga exercises were performed as part of the observance.
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga, performing yoga asanas alongside thousands of people at Kolkata's Red Road and asserting that yoga has the power to unite the entire world.
Addressing the gathering after participating in the mass yoga session, PM Modi said, "The entire nation, world, seems connected. This is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone, brings everyone together. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire world, to the entire human community on International Yoga Day. "The Prime Minister participated in the yoga session as people from different walks of life joined him at the Red Road venue. This year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing", focuses on the role of yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience and active ageing.
PM Modi said, "When we speak of 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', it means that we can work to ensure that age doesn't reduce human potential. #Yoga can help human life to aspire for constant growth. Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our target must be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our target must be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us. It helps us tune our bodies to be flexible and keeps our energy levels high."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Yoga Day celebrations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Bengaluru show the unity in diversity of our country. The PM's message about being more flexible at 40 than 20 really resonated with me. Started yoga last year and it has transformed my energy levels. Truly, age is just a number with the right practice! 🧘♀️
It's impressive to see such massive participation across India. The Vidhana Soudha event in Bengaluru sounds incredible. I'm visiting India this year and this makes me want to join a local yoga session. The Governor's participation adds a nice touch to the university event.
While I appreciate the enthusiasm, let's be honest—these mass yoga events often feel like photo ops. The real benefit of yoga comes from daily practice, not one-day spectacles. I'd rather see the government invest in free yoga classes in schools and community centres. Hope the Governor's speech wasn't just lip service. Just my two paise.
Love that they planted a Spanish Cherry sapling too! Yoga and nature—perfect combination. We need more such events that combine wellness with environmental consciousness. The Kadri temple participation shows how yoga is rooted in our culture. Proud of our traditions! 🌳
Impressive numbers at the Vidhana Soudha! I'm from New York and we do yoga in Central Park, but nothing like this scale. The PM's speech about yoga uniting the world is powerful. India is setting a great example. Makes me want to plan my next trip during this time.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.