Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday led the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Shillong, performing yoga and breathing exercises alongside around 1,000 personnel of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.
The event, held under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” witnessed participation from senior military and government officials, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, and General Officer Commanding Headquarters 101 Area Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa.
Addressing mediapersons after the session, Singh described yoga as a holistic science and a way of life that connects individuals with their inner selves, society, nature and ultimately the divine. He said yoga offers a pathway to inner stability, mental clarity and emotional resilience.
In a post on X, the Defence Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming yoga into a global movement through his visionary leadership and sustained efforts. He said yoga reflects the strength of India’s ancient traditions and continues to contribute to the well-being of people across the world.
Singh urged citizens to make yoga an integral part of their daily routine, stating that regular practice helps build a healthy body, a calm mind and a strong nation.
Participants at the Shillong event also watched PM Modi’s address delivered from Kolkata’s historic Red Road, where he led the national observance of International Yoga Day. Yoga sessions were simultaneously organised at several forward military locations, highlighting the enthusiasm and commitment of defence personnel across the country.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth participated in Yoga Day celebrations at Ranchi University’s Swarn Jyanti Dikshant Mandap during an event organised by the Ministry of AYUSH. Emphasising the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life, he said the practice helps individuals remain calm in both favourable and challenging situations and serves as a powerful tool for fostering positivity.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan (General N.S. Raja Subramani) led celebrations organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Senior military officials, including Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, along with their families, participated in the programme.
In New Delhi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay, and Controller General of Defence Accounts Anugraha Narayana Das joined officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Accounts Department in a yoga session at the CGDA headquarters.
As part of the nationwide observance, more than 10,000 officials of the Defence Accounts Department participated virtually in Yoga Day activities, reinforcing the government’s focus on promoting wellness and healthy living through yoga.
