मनः प्रशमनोपायो योग इत्यभिधीयते।
(The recourse to pacify the mind is called yoga.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the now familiar sight of an Assamese gamosa around his shoulder, led the celebration of the 8th International Day of Yoga on June 21 with the theme “Yoga for Humanity” from Mysuru Palace in Karnataka. He said that yoga was no longer a part of life but is already becoming a way of life. While addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, “Yoga is not for an individual but for humanity at large.” He also said that yoga will bring peace to the universe.
The day was celebrated across the world by tens of millions of people.
The Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma was among the participants in a yoga session in Dibrugarh’s Chowkidinghee Ground while his Cabinet colleagues and senior bureaucrats were present in various towns to celebrate the day despite torrential rains and flood in many parts of the State. “Yoga generates spiritual energy in us and balances our mental state,” the Chief Minister said.
Sonia Naznin, an Assamese wellness coach based in Dubai, told Asom Barta that through yoga humanity can generate the resources to lead not only a healthy physical life but also develop an enriched mental and spiritual state. “Yoga goes beyond caste, class, sex and religion. Anyone who is three years of age and above can be a yoga practitioner,” she said, adding that “the sooner we incorporate yoga in our lives, the more we can develop the self”.
The Assam Tourism Development Corporation organised a yoga day celebration in Guwahati where people from all walks of life participated. Filmmaker and actress Aimee Baruah told Asom Barta that yoga needs to be an integral part of life and not just a day of celebration.
Bulki Kalita, a yoga teacher based in Guwahati, said that yoga in daily life is a system of practice consisting of eight levels of development in the areas of physical, mental, social and spiritual health. “When the body is physically healthy, the mind is clear, focused and stress is under control. That’s why practising yoga regularly can help an individual to lead a healthy and peaceful life,” he said.
