International Yoga Day celebrated in Jharkhand politicians take part in events

    Ranchi, Jun 21 (PTI) International Yoga Day was celebrated in Jharkhand on Saturday, with politicians cutting across party lines participating in events to promote physical and mental well-being.
    State Health Minister Irfan Ansari, who took part in an event here, said yoga is "not merely an exercise but a lifestyle that fosters balance among heart, soul, and mind".
    State BJP chief Babulal Marandi participated in a yoga session at Ambikapuri, while Union Minister Annapurna Devi practised yoga in Deoghar.
    International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21. This year's theme is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'.
    Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren extended their wishes on the occasion.
    "Yoga is not just exercise but a powerful method to keep life balanced and holistically healthy. It energises the body, brings clarity to thoughts, and provides stability to life. Let's resolve to incorporate yoga into our daily routine," Gangwar posted on X.
    Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren wrote on X, "Unity with nature, restraint, and simplicity, this is our culture and the true essence of yoga."
    Ansari led the yoga session at Birsa Munda Fun Park in Ranchi, where BJP MLA CP Singh also participated.
    The minister said, "Yoga has been practised for years in our country. It is not merely an exercise but a lifestyle that fosters balance among heart, soul, and mind."
    Singh said people in the country came to know about yoga and 'pranayama' around 5,000 years ago, and it helps keep diseases away.
    The state BJP chief said, "Yoga is not just exercise but a lifestyle that brings us closer to nature and awakens inner consciousness."
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the way in earning global recognition for yoga, Singh said.
    Ranchi Ashram of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) organised a special meditation session on the occasion, based on the theme, 'Kriya Yoga Meditation: An Introduction.'
    The session was conducted by Swami Chaitanyananda Giri, a senior 'sannyasi' of YSS.
    Hundreds of devotees of Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of YSS, attended the session on and offline.
    Yogananda, renowned for his acclaimed book 'Autobiography of a Yogi', has a following that includes notable figures such as entrepreneur Steve Jobs, cricketer Ravi Shastri, and actor Rajnikanth.
    Introducing the attendees to 'Kriya Yoga', Swami Chaitanyananda explained that Kriya Yoga is not just about calming the mind, it is a sacred path for accelerating progress to the highest spiritual attainment.
    On the occasion, Janata Dal (United) MLA Saryu Roy said yoga is an ancient Indian practice that helps maintain good health.
    "Yoga is about integrating the body, mind and soul," Roy said, adding that there is a "growing awareness about what we eat, what we shouldn't eat, and how we should eat along with yoga".
    East Singhbhum District Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, along with senior officials of various departments, health workers, students and people practised yoga at Khasmahal in Jamshedpur.
    Around 400 yoga enthusiasts participated in an event, hosted jointly by the Lakshmi Narayan Temple Renovation Committee and Krida Bharati on the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple premises in Golmuri's Cable Town in Jamshedpur.
    This was the first time that people practised yoga collectively at the temple under the guidance of yoga teacher Naveen Chaurasia.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)