Amit Shah Leads Yoga Session in Ahmedabad’s Prahladnagar Garden; 4.5 Lakh Join World Yoga Day Celebrations Across Gujarat
Ahmedabad: The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated worldwide today (June 21), with Union Home Minister Amit Shah participating in yoga exercises at Prahladnagar Garden in Ahmedabad. During the occasion, it was announced that 4 million trees will be planted across the city throughout the year. Meanwhile, Patel performed yoga in Vadodara emphasizing its importance, while millions of people in Surat and Rajkot joined the World Yoga Day celebrations.
Amit Shah Performs Yoga at Prahladnagar Garden
On International Yoga Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah practiced yoga at Prahladnagar Garden in Ahmedabad. Following this program, Amit Shah attended a tree plantation event in Sarkhej under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency’s Green Initiative program.
4 Million Trees to be Planted in the City During the Year
A tree plantation program was organized in the presence of Amit Shah at an open plot belonging to AMC near Makarba Lake. Under the Mission For Million Tree (FMT), 4 million trees will be planted across the city throughout the year. Free saplings will be distributed by AMC under the Mission For Million Tree initiative. On this occasion, Amit Shah, MLA Amit Thaker, and AMC officials participated in the tree plantation ceremony.
Surat Celebrates Under ‘Healthy Gujarat, Obesity-Free Gujarat’ Theme
In Surat, grand celebrations were held under the theme ‘Healthy Gujarat, Obesity-Free Gujarat’. The main program was organized at Sarsana Dome under the chairmanship of State Forest and Environment Minister Mukesh Patel. The celebration saw enthusiastic participation from the city’s social organizations, school and college students, and municipal officers and employees in large numbers.
This district-level International Yoga Day celebration focused on the ‘Healthy Gujarat, Obesity-Free Gujarat’ theme, with the primary objective of inspiring citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles through yoga.
Over 450,000 Citizens Practice Yoga at 3,200+ Locations
In Surat district, over 450,000 citizens became part of yoga at more than 3,200 locations during Yoga Day celebrations. This massive public participation demonstrates growing awareness about yoga among people and their desire to make it part of their daily lives. The collective yoga practice spread the message of health and well-being in society, embodying the global message of ‘One Earth, One Breath’.
Transgender Community Joins Yoga Day Celebrations
International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 to emphasize the importance of yoga in maintaining physical health. While yoga is for people of all ages and classes, Surat’s transgender community meaningfully joined today’s Yoga Day celebrations. Members of the transgender community participated in large numbers in a special Yoga Day program held at VFX Hall on Ghoddod Road and explained the importance of yoga to others.
State Forest and Environment Minister Mukesh Patel was present at this yoga program and emphasized the environmental benefits of yoga as well as its positive effects on human health. This collective yoga practice program became a symbol of Surat citizens’ unity and commitment to health.
Patel Performs Yoga in Vadodara
In Vadodara, Yoga Day celebrations were held in the presence of Union Water Power Minister C.R. Patel. World Yoga Day was celebrated at Sama Sports Complex, where officials and dignitaries including the Central Minister, Chief Secretary of the Legislative Assembly Balkrishna Shukla, Mayor Pinkiben Soni, Vadodara City BJP President, and Municipal Commissioner were present.
Yoga Day Celebration at Atladara Swaminarayan Temple
In Vadodara, children, youth, and devotees participated in a yoga program under the guidance of saints at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Atladara.
District Collector Performs Yoga at Varanama Three-Temple Complex
This year’s International Yoga Day theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ was adopted. At the Varanama three-temple complex, people ranging from three-year-old children to elderly citizens participated in collective yoga practice in large numbers, expressing their commitment to ‘Healthy Vadodara’.
At the beginning of the Yoga Day celebration, prayers were conducted by trainers from the Gujarat State Yoga Board. Subsequently, yoga instructors conducted yoga activities according to the protocol prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH. While performing various yoga postures and asanas like Tadasana, Trikonasana, and Pawanmuktasana, yoga teachers enthusiastically explained the benefits of these asanas and the importance of these yoga activities for the body to yoga enthusiasts. After Kapalbhati, meditation, and Pranayama, yoga teachers motivated everyone present to make yoga practice a ‘way of life’ and commit to building ‘Healthy Gujarat, Obesity-Free Gujarat’.
Yoga Day Celebration at Rajkot’s Multipurpose Indoor Hall
Rajkot’s district-level celebration was held at the Multipurpose Indoor Hall next to School No. 94 in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Rambhai Mokaria. The Municipal Corporation celebrated Yoga Day at 5 locations including the Race Course. Thousands of yoga-loving citizens from Rajkot and surrounding areas joined these programs in large numbers and highlighted the importance of yoga for healthy and happy lifestyles.
MP Ram Mokaria Performs Yoga
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Ram Mokaria stated about yoga that following PM Modi’s appeal, 190 countries recognized the importance of yoga, after which June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day worldwide. This celebration is not just a one-day program but an important medium for raising awareness about health and well-being globally. Yoga provides not only physical exercise but also mental peace, emotional balance, and spiritual upliftment. People should practice yoga for at least half an hour out of 24 hours, which will keep both body and mind healthy.
Information About Benefits of Asanas and Pranayama Provided
In this program, detailed general instructions were given by the Gujarat State Yoga Board for yoga camp participants, following which citizens participated systematically. Large numbers of people reached the venue at 6 AM. On this occasion, people performed yoga according to experts’ instructions. Yoga instructors demonstrated various yoga asanas in the program, and thousands of participating citizens practiced Surya Namaskara, asanas, pranayama, and meditation under instructors’ guidance. Brief information was also provided about the benefits of each asana and pranayama.
Appeal to Practice Yoga Regularly, Not Just on June 21
The Municipal Corporation organized programs for Yoga Day at 5 locations including Rajkot’s Race Course Ground. Officials and officers from the Municipal Corporation were present at the program held at Race Course Ground. Thousands of people of various ages joined at Race Course Ground as well. Citizens performed various asanas according to supervisors’ instructions. On this occasion, Standing Chairman Jaymin Thaker also shared the motto ‘Yoga Eliminates Disease’ and appealed to people to practice yoga regularly, not just on June 21.
People of All Age Groups Join the Program
People of all ages – children, youth, and elderly – enthusiastically joined both programs, showing that yoga is not limited to any specific age group. Yoga is a powerful path for every individual to improve physical and mental health. The request made by the State Yoga Board for citizens to benefit from this yoga camp was completely successful, as unprecedented public participation was witnessed at the program venues. Such programs increase awareness about yoga in society and inspire people to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Yoga Day Celebration at Rajkot Police Headquarters
Rajkot City Police also celebrated World Yoga Day. Police officers and staff at Rajkot Police Headquarters celebrated today’s Yoga Day by performing yoga in the morning. This celebration included Rajkot’s In-charge Police Commissioner Mahendra Bagadia, DCP Crime Dr. Parthrajsinh Gohil, DCP Zone One Sajjansinh Parmar, DCP Traffic Pooja Yadav, DCP Zone Two Jagdish Bangarwa, along with all ACP and PI-level officers and staff who performed different yoga asanas to celebrate International Yoga Day.