Leh | Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations here, joining hundreds of yoga enthusiasts at Astro Turf Stadium in Spituk.
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan and chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Mohd Jaffer Akhoon also participated along with senior civil and military officers, students, and members of the public at the event, officials said.
The celebrations featured a mass yoga session, with participants performing various 'asanas' against the scenic backdrop of the Himalayan mountains.
Similar Yoga Day celebrations were organised across all seven districts of Ladakh, witnessing participation from people from all walks of life, including students, senior citizens, monks and personnel from security forces.
Addressing the gathering, the vice president lauded the growing global acceptance of yoga and underscored its role in fostering a healthy lifestyle and inner peace.
He said yoga has a crucial role in promoting healthy ageing and improving quality of life, urging the youth to make it a lifelong habit rather than treating it as a one-day activity.
Praising the people of Ladakh for their calm and humble nature, the vice president said yoga was not only meant for those seeking change but also for those striving to move from “good to great.”
The Ladakh Lt Governor took to X after the function and said, “It was indeed an honour to have Vice President Radhakrishnan Ji, grace the International Day of Yoga celebrations, amidst the serene high-altitudes of Leh."
"Yoga is the most valuable gift, India has given to the mankind. We are grateful to Prime Minister for his visionary leadership in taking this ancient Indian heritage of Yoga to the global stage and uniting the world in wellness. In line with this year's theme, let us practice Yoga for healthy living and healthy ageing,” he said.
Saxena earnestly appealed to the people of Ladakh to make Yoga an integral part of their daily routine and embrace this gift of wellness for a stronger, more resilient Ladakh.
Radhakrishnan concluded his three-day maiden tour of Ladakh with a visit to the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) and Buddha Park of Peace in Devachan Campus, Leh.
“…deeply impressed by its remarkable contribution towards education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of yoga and meditation in Ladakh. The spirit of compassion, selfless service, harmony and inclusiveness that permeates the campus is truly inspiring,” he wrote on X.