KOCHI: The third edition of the International Day of Yoga saw yoga camps and sessions conducted by the Southern Naval Command (SNC), other government institutions, private companies and educational establishments across the district.
A yoga camp for naval personnel and their families was conducted at the SNC. Vice-Admiral AR Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC, participated in the camp, which was attended by over 800 people. A pledge to make yoga an integral part of daily life was also taken.
Yoga trainer Nuthan from Me Met Me Yoga Centre, Panampilly Nagar, conducted the camp in two one-hour sessions - one for persons below 40 years of age and another for those aged above 40. The INS Dronacharya and Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Aluva, also conducted similar camps at Fort Kochi and Aluva, respectively. All SNC ships, including those at sea and other outstation establishments, also conducted unit-wise yoga sessions.
Confederation of Indian Industry
The Confederation of Indian Industry, with its subsidiaries Young Indians (Yi), Indian Women Network (IWN) and Art of Living Foundation held an awareness session on yoga and its benefits at SCMS College, Aluva, on the day. Rajagopal Krishnan, Director (Southern Region), Art of Living Yoga Council, spoke on how yoga could unite the body, mind and breath and how regularly practising yoga can help in handling stress in daily lives.
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Tripunithura
Chinmaya Vidyalaya dedicated the day to cherish the ancient Vedic tradition of yoga. Principal Leela Ramamurthy enlightened students on how yoga could be the answer to the myriad problems created by the modern lifestyle. T M Varghese, national awardee, Yogic Science and Counselling, MG University, and retired Political Science teacher, spoke on how yoga could bridge the widening divide between the mind and the body and “rekindle a sense of serenity and harmony among the world’s citizens .” A quiz was also conducted for students of the senior section to test their knowledge of the Indian culture, specifically yoga and its benefits.
Regional Sports Centre
Regular practice of combination yoga reduces stress and removes toxins from body, said Dr Jagguswami, director of Amrita Medical College, while inaugurating the International Yoga Day function at Regional Sports Centre. “The modern world treats yoga as a medicine that relieves the mind from negativity. Youth should popularise yoga and utilise to the maximum extent,” he said.
What began as the Centre’s initiative has now been taken over by the public, said M N Radhakrishnan, former BJP state general secretary and chairperson of SIGN (Society for Integrated Growth of Nation), an NGO.
The yoga session was attended by senior vice president at Federal Bank Sunny N V, president of Art of Living Usha Rajashekhar, Patanjali Yoga Centre chairperson Kaithapram Vasudevan Namboothiri, regional sports secretary Manohar Prabhu and others. Singer Amrita Suresh performed on the stage.
District Ayurveda Hospital
At the District Ayurveda Hospital, yoga day was celebrated with a workshop and awareness camp. Hibi Eden MLA inaugurated the programme which was presided over by actor Jomol (Gowri). Around 150 people attended the free workshop.
Students of St Antony’s School were in attendance. In his address, K N Subramanyan Namboothri, district medical officer, stressed on the significance of yoga in daily life.