Banbasa: On the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami joined thousands of yoga practitioners, personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal, students, youth, women, and senior citizens in a mass yoga session at the state-level event held in Banbasa.
Extending his greetings on Yoga Day, the Chief Minister described yoga as the foundation of a healthy, balanced, and positive life. He said yoga is not merely physical exercise but a way of life that establishes harmony between the mind, body, and soul.
Highlighting modern challenges such as stress, depression, and unhealthy lifestyles, he said yoga has emerged as an effective natural healing system. Regular yoga and pranayama, he added, help strengthen immunity and improve mental concentration.
The Chief Minister noted that under the leadership and efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has gained global recognition, with millions of people across more than 190 countries now practicing it.
He emphasized that Uttarakhand is a land of yoga, spirituality, and meditation, and that the state government is continuously working to make Uttarakhand a global capital for yoga and wellness.
According to him, the state has implemented India’s first Yoga Policy, which provides subsidies of up to ₹2 million (₹20 lakh) for establishing yoga and meditation centers and grants of up to ₹1 million (₹10 lakh) for research and study. Five new yoga hubs are being developed, and yoga services are being offered at all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the proposed Sharda Corridor Project, under which Banbasa is being developed as a spiritual and tourism destination. The project, estimated at around ₹33 billion (₹3,300 crore), includes the development of a Sharda River Front and various religious and tourist sites between Tanakpur and Banbasa.
He urged young people to adopt yoga as part of their daily routine, stay away from substance abuse, and embrace a disciplined and healthy lifestyle.
