Yoga strengthens body, mind, and spirit: Tripura CM

Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha has called upon citizens to embrace yoga as a way of life, stressing its role in strengthening the body, mind, and spirit. He made the appeal while participating in the state-level International Yoga Day celebration at the Hapania International Exhibition Ground on Sunday.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Saha said yoga and pranayama, rooted in India’s ancient traditions, have today emerged as powerful tools for promoting physical well-being, mental peace, and holistic development across the globe. He emphasized that yoga is not merely a physical exercise but a complete lifestyle practice that nurtures harmony between body, mind, and spirit.

He noted that in an era marked by lifestyle-related diseases, stress, and mental health challenges, yoga offers a simple yet effective path toward achieving a healthy, balanced, and conscious way of life.

Dr. Saha recalled that the proposal to observe International Yoga Day was first placed before the United Nations in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposal received overwhelming support from a majority of countries, leading to the declaration of June 21 as International Yoga Day. Since 2015, the day has been celebrated annually across the world, symbolizing health, harmony, and wellness.

This year’s International Yoga Day was observed under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, reflecting the importance of maintaining fitness and mental well-being throughout all stages of life. The Chief Minister said the theme was particularly relevant in today’s context, as yoga helps people remain active, resilient, and mindful even in later years.

The celebration at Hapania witnessed enthusiastic participation from Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Tinku Roy, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, government officials, yoga practitioners, students, security personnel among others. Dr. Saha joined participants in performing various yoga asanas and breathing exercises, underscoring the importance of regular practice for overall health.

He encouraged people of all age groups to adopt yoga as part of their daily routine, saying that widespread practice would not only improve individual well-being but also contribute to building a healthier and more conscious society.