category Regional,Shimla, chandigarh, , tags Regional,Shimla, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh SHIMLA The International Yoga Day celebraetd with usual fervour and enthusiasm on Wednesday in Haryana and Himahcal Pradesh. Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya joined the celebration at Raj Bhavan here. Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Wednesday said the practice of yoga and pranayama enables us to lead a stress-free life and attain a healthy body and a healthy mind. Presiding over the program organised by the Department of AYUSH and the yoga department of Himachal Pradesh University at Raj Bhawan in Shimla, Shukla highlighted the transformative power of yoga and pranayama in promoting physical health and mental tranquillity. He emphasised the significance of incorporating these practices into our daily routines as they provide the gateway to good health and inner peace. Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who took part in an International Day of Yoga event in Hamirpur, said the day is being celebrated all over the world due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by a resolution. The day aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga. Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, the senior-most member of the Himachal Cabinet, joined over 500 people to perform yoga in Solan. Shandil (82) said yoga is the need of the hour, adding that it helps in creating a balance between the mind and the body and helps to overcome stress. Giving more information in this regard, an official spokesperson said that Yoga Day was celebrated as per the guidelines received from Ministries of Law and Justice as well as Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi. Hon ble Judges, Advocate Generals, Members of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, officers and officials of the High Court participated in the event and showed huge enthusiasm while performing different Yoga Asanas and meditation. He said that on this occasion, the participants were apprised about the benefits of Yoga being an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition and that Yoga helps in physical development and mental relaxation as well as development of strength, flexibility and immunity. He added that Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21 every year and this year the day is being celebrated across India with an objective to bring Yoga to Har Ghar Aangan and to make it a part of the daily routine of every individual and to highlight the importance of Yoga and how it is beneficial in keeping the body and mind in sound health for the cause of Public Health. Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala called upon the citizens to embrace yoga to keep body and mind healthy. Let us all take a pledge to take yoga forward by adopting it for the improvement of lifestyle and mindfulness, he added. Deputy CM was addressing yoga practitioners as Chief Guest in the programme organized in Panchkula on the occasion of International Yoga Day today. Minister of State for Printing and Stationery Sardar Sandeep Singh was also present. Chautala said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that since 2015. (editor dailyworld.in)