From borders to banks: Army runs River Yoga Campaign to clean Gomati in Lucknow
In an effort to clean the Gomti River, the Indian Army's Territorial Division has launched the River Yoga Campaign at Kudiya Ghat, Lucknow. Running from April 21 to June 21, 2025, the campaign aims to strengthen public engagement with the river, concluding on International Yoga Day.The event is organised by the 137 Composite Ecological Task Force Battalion (Territorial Army) 39 Gorkha Rifles in collaboration with Nagar Nigam Lucknow, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG-UP). The initiative covers all major ghats along the Gomti River.advertisement
Each morning, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM, certified instructors lead yoga sessions for the public, followed by riverbank cleanliness drives. Participants from NCC/NSS, students, civil society organisations, and residents actively engage in the program.
A key aspect of the campaign is its weekly thematic focus, addressing subjects like 'Plastic-Free Ghats,' 'Healthy Rivers, Healthy Lives,' and 'Mindfulness by the River.' These themes seek to enhance public awareness of the vital connection between environmental sustainability and personal well-being.Professor Venkatesh Dutta, Department of Environmental Science at BBAU, praised the initiative, saying, 'The River Yoga Campaign presents a rare opportunity where spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions are aligned. It's a movement that connects people back to the river, not only physically but emotionally and ethically.'
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Major Kanwardeep Singh Nagi of the Ecological Task Force highlighted the campaign's broader impact, saying, 'This initiative is not just about yoga or cleanliness in isolation; it is about creating a culture of ecological mindfulness and collective action. We are witnessing inspiring participation from all walks of life.'The campaign will conclude on June 21, 2025, with a grand mass yoga demonstration, an exhibition showcasing campaign highlights, and a felicitation ceremony for outstanding contributors at Kudiya Ghat.
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