The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, marked the 12th International Day of Yoga on Sunday by organising a special programme in New Delhi and coordinating celebrations across the Ganga basin.
The event witnessed participation from senior ministry officials, volunteers associated with the Yamuna cleanliness drive, members of the Yamuna Task Force, NGOs, school students, youth volunteers and local communities engaged in river conservation efforts.
The nationwide celebrations were held at ghats, riverfronts and water bodies through the involvement of State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs), District Ganga Committees (DGCs), Ganga Praharis and educational institutions.
The theme for International Day of Yoga 2026, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, focused on promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being across all age groups.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, V. L. Kantha Rao, urged people to make yoga a regular part of their lives rather than limiting it to an annual observance. Participants performed yoga asanas and breathing exercises under the Common Yoga Protocol and also took part in a plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, highlighting the link between environmental conservation and public health.
NMCG said the celebrations reflected the broader vision of the Namami Gange programme by connecting personal well-being with ecological well-being. The organisation noted that plantation activities contribute to river health by improving green cover, reducing soil erosion, strengthening riverbank ecosystems and supporting groundwater recharge.
The event underscored the mission’s focus on sustainable lifestyles, community participation and environmental awareness as key elements of river rejuvenation efforts.
