International Yoga Day: UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari leads Yoga session at Darul Uloom Warsia

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 21 (ANI): On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari performed yoga at Darul Uloom Warsia in Lucknow along with several others, marking a symbolic event that reflected growing awareness around health and fitness across communities.
The event witnessed participation from dozens of people, including Muslim youth, at one of the prominent Islamic seminaries in the city.
The initiative was seen as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Fit India Movement, with the minister describing it as a significant step towards national health consciousness.
Speaking to ANI at the event, Danish Azad Ansari said, 'The objective behind International Day of Yoga 2025 is that India should be health-conscious. This movement of Prime Minister Modi is a very important step towards Fit India. On the occasion of International Yoga Day, yoga camps have been organised across the country and the world. You will see that today, thousands of Muslim youth are participating in the Yoga Day program...'
Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries performed Yoga in Gorakhpur on the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day.
He welcomed everyone and said that Yoga Day is being celebrated not only in the country but also around the world. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making yoga popular globally.
While addressing the public, Yogi Adityanath said, 'Today, Yoga Day is being celebrated in Gorakhpur. The local minister, MPs, other public representatives, and all the brothers and sisters here are participating. I welcome everyone. This program is happening not just here, but across the country and the world. In Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading the message of yoga. On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, I send my warm wishes to everyone.'
'Yoga has been part of our culture since ancient times. Good health helps us fulfil our goals, and yoga helps us grow spiritually too. It's a tradition passed down by our sages through the Vedas, Puranas, and other ancient texts,' he added.
Yogi said that yoga builds spiritual strength and is India's gift to the world. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting global recognition for yogaHe also wished everyone good health and happiness on the occasion. (ANI)

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

2 hours ago

• Time of India

Govt to release nutrient guidelines for all age groups soon

New Delhi: The government will soon release nutrient prescriptions for all age groups, outlining the minimum requirements of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins for infants, adolescents, adults and the elderly, said people familiar with the matter. The age-based life-cycle nutrition strategy could also propose targeted interventions on discouraging, marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods and promoting healthy foods to people of different age groups. The move is aimed at doing away with the problems of undernourishment, excess weight and obesity, a key step in the direction of achieving India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3, related to good health and well-being, and to creating a 'Healthy India by 2047', a senior government official told ET. In India, a body mass index of 23 and 24.9 kg/m² is considered overweight, while a BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher is classified as obese. The NITI Aayog, the government's premier think tank, has firmed up an age-wise nutrition strategy after extensive stakeholder consultations for more than a year and is expected to submit its report in a month, the official said on condition of anonymity. The individual-level report, which will be advisory in nature, will be followed by community-wise and a national nutrition strategy over the next one year. An outcome-based monitoring and accountability framework will also be put in place to check food intake and its impact on reducing under-nourishment and obesity among different age groups. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier this year flagged the issue of obesity in India, terming it the root cause of many diseases, and urged people to cut down on edible oil consumption by 10% and do regular physical exercise to fight this chronic health condition. A Lancet study forecast that by 2050 one-third of India's population or 449 million will be obese.

Indian Express

7 hours ago

• Indian Express

Uttarakhand gets state's first ‘yoga policy', CM Dhami announces ‘spiritual economic zones'

On the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially launched the state's first-ever Yoga Policy from Bhararisain, the state's summer capital. He declared, 'Uttarakhand will be developed as the global capital of yoga and wellness.' While delivering his message 'Yoga in Every Home, Health for Every Person,' Dhami spoke of the Central Government's support in the initiative and announced the establishment of a 'Spiritual Economic Zones' in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. These zones will reportedly be developed as international hubs of ayurveda, yoga, and spiritual tourism, and will also facilitate employment in the state, helping to curb migration from the hill regions. By March 2026, yoga services will be ensured at all AYUSH Health and Wellness Centers, and by 2030, five new yoga hubs will be developed across the state, Dhami said. Under the new policy, establishment of yoga and meditation centers will be eligible for up to Rs 20 lakh in subsidies, and research related to yoga and naturopathy will be granted up to Rs 10 lakhs. Dhami said, 'Yoga is not just exercise; it is a philosophy of life that has united the world beyond caste, religion, and borders. It has become the most powerful bridge of global unity and humanity.' Among the dignitaries attending the event were Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Ambassador of Mexico to India Federico Salas, Ambassador of Nepal Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, and diplomats from six countries – Fiji, Mongolia, Russia, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Suriname. Before the event, the Chief Minister conversed with the youth and urged them to make yoga a part of their daily routine and move toward a healthier life. While noting the pivotal role of Bhararisain in yoga, spirituality, and policy-making, he described the location as a center of Uttarakhand's cultural heritage and natural beauty.

The Hindu

7 hours ago

• The Hindu

Experts highlight health benefits of yoga, bat for its integration into modern life at Mysuru conference

The second yoga conference organised by the Federation of Yoga Teachers of Karnataka brought together scholars, practitioners, and health professionals to deliberate on the importance of the practice in modern life, and its role in building a healthy society, in Mysuru on Sunday. Inaugurating the event, B.C. Bhagavan, vice-chancellor of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bengaluru, emphasised that yoga, India's ancient gift to the world, has transcended geographical boundaries and is now embraced globally as a holistic lifestyle practice. 'Earlier, it was narrowly seen as just a form of exercise. But over the past few decades, the awareness of its deeper spiritual and therapeutic dimensions has grown,' he said. Highlighting yoga's international reach, Mr. Bhagavan noted that the International Day of Yoga (IDY) is now celebrated in nearly 170 countries, symbolising the widespread acceptance of the practice. However, he raised concerns over the increasing disconnect of India's post-1990s generation from the country's traditions. 'They are deeply influenced by Western lifestyles, addicted to digital media, and drawn to short-format content like reels, from an early age. Their concentration levels and attention spans are worryingly low,' he observed, and stressed the need to promote yoga and naturopathy among the new generation. This will help the youth to build resilience and holistic well-being, said Mr. Bhagavan. Flagging the rise in drug and substance abuse among young people, he said nearly 25% of youth are reportedly involved in tobacco use and substance abuse, and it was imperative to intervene and wean them away. Citing research and studies on yoga, Mr. Bhagavan said that the results demonstrated it's efficacy in managing and curing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). 'Yoga has shown measurable benefits in treating hypertension, heart diseases, postural issues, and kidney function disorders. It has both protective and curative potential,' he said, calling for yoga to be adopted as a way of life to build a healthier society. The conference was presided over by Ramachandra G. Bhat Kotemane, a senior yoga scholar. Addressing the gathering, Nanjangud MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan reinforced the cultural significance of yoga and the role of Mysuru in its modern revival. 'Mysuru has long been a hub for yoga in South India. Foreigners have been drawn to the city to learn under the tutelage of renowned gurus,' he said. He also echoed concerns about the youth's addiction to digital media, and underlined the urgent need to create awareness about the benefits of yoga among them. A publication on yoga guru T. Krishnamacharya, authored by N. Anand, was released on the occasion. B.N.S. Iyengar, a direct disciple of T. Krishnamacharya, was among those present. The technical sessions that followed saw experts deliberating on various aspects of yoga, including its metaphysical and spiritual dimensions, aspects of ashtanga yoga, integrating yoga into lifestyle, yoga for health, pranayama for mental health, etc.