The chosen from LPU are all geared up to join the mega global yoga movement. They can be seen practicing their ‘Asanas’ religiously these days, determined to do our state proud at the celebrations.

More than one thousand faculty and staff members of Lovely Professional University have been selected to be a part of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations to be held at Chandigarh on 21st June 2016. The celebrations, called the “National Event of Mass Yoga Demonstration”, will be attended by PM Narendra Modi, who will also be performing yoga with all the participants.

This year, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, has decided to up the momentum created by IDY 2015 with greater and more active participation. This is evidenced by our own large LPU contingent from Punjab. The chosen from LPU are all geared up to join the mega global yoga movement. They can be seen practicing their ‘Asanas’ religiously these days, determined to do our state proud at the celebrations.

Last year (2015), the first IDY was celebrated in New Delhi at Rajpath. Over 50 million people from across the globe simultaneously performed yoga to mark the day. This act of bringing together people from all walks of life, right across the globe, and uniting them in a single harmonious moment of heightened spiritual awareness, celebrated the true meaning of Yoga.

LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal opines, “I am very thankful to the State and Central Governments for showing faith in LPU and entrusting our staff members with this responsibility. A call from the highest office of the country is indeed an honour. This massive participation is certain to spread the joy and benefits of yoga, meditation and breathing techniques across the globe. We all know well that Yoga helps individuals actualize their potential and promotes a sense of oneness with the world, fostering a greater feeling of belonging, thereby aiding the creation of a global family. I congratulate PM Modi for his untiring efforts to unite the world through this great practice of ancient India.”

Yoga Day is celebrated annually on June 21, a day declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014, to be internationally recognized. In his UN address, PM Modi had suggested June 21 as IDY, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and also has special significance in many parts of the world.

PM Modi is of the view, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5000 years old. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover a sense of oneness with oneself, the world and nature. Changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness around us can also help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”