Meghalaya, Nagaland observe Yoga Day

Thousands of people from all walks of life participated in International Yoga Day celebrations across Meghalaya and Nagaland on Tuesday.

Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan visited the Assam Regimental Centre in Happy Valley, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture and Ward's Lake where he participated in yoga exercises.

A large number of people, including students, soldiers and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party joined in the yoga exercises.

The BJP's Meghalaya unit also observed the day at the U. Tirot Sing stadium in Shillong. BJP national spokesperson Nalin S. Kohli, who is also the party in-charge in the state, was also present on the occasion.

Yoga exercises was also held at the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command headquarters, where they were inaugurated by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar.

Similarly, the international event was also held at the North-Eastern Hill University which witnessed a large number of students, teachers and non-teaching staff, who particularly showed their enthusiasm in the practice of the various yoga protocols.

NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.K. Srivastava later gave away various prizes to the winners of the events organised during the yoga Fest and to the winners of yoga practices.

The Nagaland government also observed second International Day of Yoga across various place in that state.

Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya was accompanied by BJP MPs Jugal Kishore Sharma, Yashwant Singh, and Ram Narain Dudi along with ministers, parliamentary secretaries and a host of top government officials.

Senior citizens and students from different schools and colleges turned out for the programme.

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition which helps in balancing of mind, body through an action. It helps in changing our life styles and creating consciousness. Yoga has nothing to do with religion and is a science and an exercise to keep our body fit," Acharya said.

--IANS

rrk/vd