The ‘Yoga Mahotsav’, celebrated to commemorate 75 days to the International Day of Yoga, was a huge success as thousands joined at the gala event as they practised Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) at the Dibrugarh University ground on Friday.

The event was graced by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal; Chief Minister of TripuraDr Manik Saha; Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Main; Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and MP of Dibrugarh; Rameshwar Teli; Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh; Health and Family Welfare Minister of Assam, Keshab Mahanta; former minister and Chairman, HOUSEFED, Bhabesh Kalita; Health and Family Welfare Minister of Manipur, Sapam Ranjan Singh; Minister of Power of Meghalaya, A T Mondal; Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Prof Jiten Hazarika; and Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is a matter of immense pleasure and pride that Dibrugarh is hosting this wonderful ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ in this pristine environment. As thousands of you joined us, we are emboldening the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Yoga a global movement towards healthier and better tomorrow. I must thank our distinguished guests who have joined us here today to make this event a success. Our endeavour to promote Yoga as a way of life will not only enrich our health but also contribute positively towards building a healthy and Swastha Bharat - a vision of our dynamic Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.”

The Ministry of Ayush organised the ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ today to commemorate the 75 days to International Day of Yoga at the Dibrugarh University campus. International students from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Togo, Nepal, Nigeria, Lesotho, Botswana, Egypt, Namibia and Korea apart from thousands of students, yoga enthusiasts participated at the Yoga Mahotsav here on Friday  making it a grand success. At the event, the audience was guided to perform CYP by Dr Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, Director, MDNIY.

Adding further, the Ayush Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said, “On this holy occasion of Yoga Mahotsav, which is being celebrated on this auspicious World Health Day, I have the pleasure to announce that the Ministry of Ayush is going to set up a 100 bedded Yoga and Naturopathy hospital at Dibrugarh. This is going to further bolster Dibrugarh as the centre of healthcare in the region. With the constant support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi , we are going to build this hospital which will give a big boost to the traditional healthcare system in the region. I am thankful to the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, for extending full support to this only of its kind centre in the North-East. This centre will cater to needs of the region by providing Yoga and naturopathy out-patient and inpatient treatments to the people of Assam. An MoU was also signed between the Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) and Dibrugarh University to develop an ecosystem of Yoga practitioners which will further reinforce our commitment to make Yoga a part of everyone’s healthy lifestyle.”

The Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha, addressed the gathering and said, “It is a great moment when all of us has joined today in this beautiful morning to perform Yoga - one of the greatest boons of Indian heritage. Due to the umpteen initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Yoga has regained its past glory as it is now being celebrated across the world as a prescription of good health. Being a doctor, I understand the scores of benefits that Yoga has to offer. As we practise Yoga today, it not only boosts the Yoga practice among people, but also promises a better, healthier tomorrow. I thank our Ayush Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal for inviting me to this wonderful event and making me part of a movement towards realising the vision of Prime Minister towards a Swastha Bharat.”

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Chowna Mein said, “Yoga is a wonderful gift of India’s rich heritage that has benefited the world to become a healthier place. Led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, yoga has become a global movement. Today, as we perform yoga, I hope & believe that with the ever-rising popularity Yoga is an occasion to celebrate. I am happy that I can participate in this event today as we work towards a healthier tomorrow.”

Minister of Industry & Commerce, Assam, Bimal Borah; the Health & family Welfare Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, Alo Libang; the Health and family Welfare Minister, Meghalaya, Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh; Minister of Urban Development, Sikkim, L B Das; the Minister of Labour Welfare Department, Assam, Sanjay Kishan; the MLA of Dibrugarh and Chairman, AIDC, Prashanta Phukan; MP Horen Singh Bey; MLA Teros Gowala, Binod Hazarika, Chakra Gogoi among many other prominent personalities attended the Yoga Mahotsav.