Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Sunday said that the need for regular yoga practice for a healthy lifestyle is immense. Yoga has many benefits for the body and helps increase immunity.
He said that, responding to the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people at the international level are also being attracted to yoga. Yoga removes fatigue and increases motivation and performance at work.
Dr Saha said this at the state-level 12th International Yoga Day programme held at the International Exhibition Hall in Hapania in Agartala on Sunday.
The 12th International Yoga Day is being celebrated in the state under the joint initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the National AYUSH Mission.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Saha said, “Since our government came to power, we have been celebrating Yoga Day here for the last few years. We all know that since 2015, June 21 has been celebrated as International Yoga Day all over the world. This time, our famous Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating Yoga Day in Kolkata, West Bengal. Yoga means union. Through this, one can know oneself and recognize oneself.”
He said that yoga has been practiced in our country for many ages.
“Our sages have been practicing yoga since ancient times. Today's children need to understand more about yoga. As discussed, we all know that in September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed celebrating June 21 as International Yoga Day in the United Nations General Assembly. After that, about 177 countries supported his proposal. It was passed without any vote. Now, International Yoga Day is celebrated in many countries. The theme of this year's Yoga Day is ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging’,” said Dr. Saha.
The Chief Minister said that those who practice yoga regularly have a much lower chance of getting sick.
“So why shouldn't we practice yoga? Although today's children are more focused on their mobile phones, it would be better if they practiced yoga,” he said.
“I would like to appeal to everyone to practice yoga regularly. Regular yoga practice increases blood circulation. It develops intelligence, and the muscles of the body become flexible. Through practicing yoga, our body receives many benefits and immunity increases significantly. Through meditation and pranayama, one can also be free from mental stress to a great extent. Yoga practice is very necessary to improve students' concentration,” he added.
The event was attended by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Director General of Police Anurag, and other high-ranking officials of the administration.
Meanwhile, Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu attended the Sepahijala district-level observance of the 12th International Yoga Day at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Higher Secondary School in Charilam, where a large number of participants took part in the yoga session.
International Yoga Day was also celebrated across various districts, subdivisions and localities of the state with enthusiasm and active public participation.
Tripura Agriculture and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour across the world on Sunday.
“As part of the global observance, the day was also marked across Tripura, including at the grassroots and local levels, with active participation from people belonging to different age groups and communities,” Nath said.
A vibrant Yoga Day programme was organized in the Mohanpur area, where students, youth representatives and local residents participated enthusiastically, adding energy and vibrancy to the celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Nath emphasized that yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but a holistic discipline that nurtures a healthy body, a calm mind and a balanced lifestyle. He noted that regular yoga practice helps improve overall well-being and contributes to a more productive and stress-free life.
The Minister called upon people to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and reaffirm their commitment to maintaining good health, inner strength and mental resilience through consistent practice.
The programmes held across Tripura formed part of the nationwide celebrations aimed at spreading awareness about the benefits of yoga and encouraging people to adopt healthier, more disciplined and sustainable lifestyles. The widespread participation in the events reflected the growing popularity of yoga and its relevance in promoting holistic wellness in modern life.