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India.com
21 hours ago
- Health
- India.com
International Yoga Day 2025: Origin, Benefits, And Beginner's Guide To Embrace Yoga For A Healthier Life
Yoga is not just a fitness trend; it's a timeless science of wellness. As the world celebrates International Yoga Day 2025 today, millions are joining together in a global celebration of health, mindfulness, and spiritual well-being. But what exactly is yoga, how did it originate, and why has it become such a powerful tool for modern living? Let's dive deep into the story of yoga, its life-changing benefits, and how beginners can start their own transformative yoga journey. What Is Yoga? Yoga is a holistic mind-body practice that combines physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and ethical principles (yamas and niyamas). The word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', which means to unite. At its core, yoga aims to harmonise the body, mind, and spirit. While in the modern world yoga is often seen as a form of physical fitness, its essence lies in self-discipline, inner awareness, and achieving balance in all aspects of life. How Did Yoga Originate? Yoga originated over 5,000 years ago in ancient India, making it one of the oldest spiritual and wellness practices in the world. Its earliest references are found in the Rig Veda, a sacred Hindu text. However, it was the sage Patanjali who systematised yoga around 200 BCE in his classic work, the Yoga Sutras. He laid out the Eightfold Path of Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga: 1. Yama – Moral codes 2. Niyama – Self-discipline 3. Asana – Physical postures 4. Pranayama – Breath control 5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses 6. Dharana – Concentration 7. Dhyana – Meditation 8. Samadhi – Enlightenment Over time, yoga evolved across cultures and traditions, becoming both a spiritual and physical discipline practiced worldwide. Why Is International Yoga Day Celebrated? International Yoga Day was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations in 2014. It was officially adopted by the UN and first observed on June 21, 2015, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The day aims to promote the global adoption of yoga and to highlight its importance in leading a balanced and peaceful life. Every year, the day is marked by mass yoga events, workshops, and awareness drives across countries. What Are the Benefits of Practicing Yoga? Yoga isn't just a physical workout, it is a comprehensive system for improving your entire being. Here are the top science-backed and time-tested benefits: 1. Physical Health ► Improves flexibility, posture, and strength ► Aids in weight management ► Enhances respiratory function and energy levels ► Supports cardiovascular and digestive health 2. Mental Well-Being ► Reduces stress and anxiety ► Improves concentration and memory ► Balances mood and emotional stability 3. Spiritual and Emotional Growth ► Increases self-awareness ► Encourages mindfulness and compassion ► Helps in building inner peace and clarity How Can Beginners Start Practicing Yoga? If you're new to yoga, don't worry, yoga is for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Here's how you can begin: 1. Start Simple Begin with basic poses like: ► Tadasana (Mountain Pose) ► Balasana (Child's Pose) ► Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) ► Sukhasana (Easy Sitting Pose) ► Savasana (Corpse Pose for relaxation) 2. Practice Daily, Even for 10 Minutes Consistency is key. Even 10-15 minutes of daily practice can bring noticeable results in a few weeks. 3. Learn From Reliable Sources Join a certified yoga class or follow trusted online instructors. Apps and YouTube channels offer beginner-level guided routines. 4. Use the Right Equipment A non-slip yoga mat, comfortable clothing, and optional props like blocks or straps can enhance your practice. 5. Listen to Your Body Yoga is not about pushing yourself too hard. Stay mindful and adjust poses to suit your level. Yoga for Different Needs Whether you want to lose weight, manage diabetes, or reduce anxiety, yoga has something for everyone: ► For stress relief: Try restorative yoga and deep breathing ► For weight loss: Power yoga or vinyasa yoga is ideal ► For back pain: Focus on poses like Cat-Cow, Bridge, and Downward Dog ► For seniors: Gentle chair yoga can help maintain mobility What to Avoid When Starting Yoga 1. Don't skip warm-ups and cooldowns 2. Avoid practicing right after meals 3. Don't compare yourself to others, your yoga journey is personal 4. Avoid overexertion, rest when needed Yoga and Lifestyle: More Than Just a Routine Yoga encourages a holistic lifestyle. Along with physical poses, it emphasises: 1. Clean eating (sattvic diet) 2. Positive thinking 3. Non-violence (Ahimsa) 4. Mindful living This lifestyle shift can profoundly affect your long-term health and happiness. International Yoga Day 2025: How to Celebrate Join a community yoga session, participate in virtual classes, or even host a yoga challenge with friends. The idea is not just to perform yoga, but to embrace its philosophy in your daily life. Yoga is more than stretching or a trendy workout. It's a lifestyle rooted in ancient wisdom that can transform your body, mind, and spirit. As International Yoga Day 2025 approaches, take a step toward inner balance and outer strength, one pose at a time.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Science
- First Post
50 years of Aryabhata: India's journey through Space Age
India's space journey is no longer just about reaching the stars — it is about shaping the future read more On April 19, 1975, India achieved a significant milestone in space technology as it launched its first satellite, Aryabhata शं नो द्यावापृथिवी पूर्वहूतौ शमन्तरिक्षं दृशये नो अस्तु । शं न ओषधीर्वनिनो भवन्तु शं नो रजसस्पतिरस्तु जिष्णुः || — ऋग्वेदः सूक्तं ७.३५ 'May the heaven and earth invoked since eternity in the first yajna, and the middle regions so charming to see be good for our peace and joy. May the herbs instilled with the vitality of sun rays be for our peace and joy of good health, and may the victorious lord of life on earth and in distant regions be good and bring us peace, prosperity and happiness.' — Rig Veda STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Space has long captivated the human imagination, with mythological tales across cultures often alluding to celestial journeys and cosmic realms. India is no exception, with its rich heritage of stories that reflect a deep-rooted fascination with the universe. On the evening of November 21, 1963—about half an hour after sunset—India took its first nascent step into space technology. From the newly established Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) launched a 715 kg Nike-Apache sounding rocket. It soared to an altitude of 200 kms, releasing a brilliant sodium vapor cloud in the upper atmosphere that lit up the twilight sky—a modest yet momentous beginning for India's space programme. On August 15, 1969, India established Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the Department of Atomic Energy, which replaced the erstwhile INCOSPAR. However, it was only in June 1972 that India established Department of Space (DOS) and brought ISRO under its purview. Aryabhata: India joins the space club On April 19, 1975, India achieved a significant milestone in space technology as it launched its first satellite, Aryabhata. The satellite was carried aboard a Soviet Kosmos-3M launch vehicle from the Kapustin Yar spaceport in Astrakhan Oblast as spart of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos programme. Aryabhata remained in contact with ground stations until March 1981. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Aryabhata remained in contact with ground stations until March 1981 To commemorate this achievement, the Government of India featured the satellite's image on the reverse side of the Rs 2 banknote, which remained in circulation from 1976 to 1997. Rohini Satellites: India's Orbital Genesis From 1979 to 1983, India conducted a series of four experimental satellite launches under the Rohini programme, which employed the indigenously developed four-stage solid-propellant Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3). From 1979 to 1983, India conducted a series of four experimental satellite launches under the Rohini programme These missions were aimed at validating launch vehicle performance, orbit injection accuracy, and establishing indigenous capability in satellite deployment. ISRO used the indigenously developed 'Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV)'. For each of these launches from its launchpad at Sriharikota High Altitude Range. The satellites were named as: Rohini Technology Payload (RTP), Rohini RS-1, Rohini RS-D1 and Rohini RS-D2. RS-1 was India's first successful satellite launch and India joined an elite group of countries to reach Earth's orbit after the USSR, the US, France, the UK, China and Japan. On July 18, 1981 Department of Posts commemorated Rohini Satellites by issuing a 1 Rupee postage stamp and a First Day Cover. The First Day Cover shows SLV-3 being transported to the launcher while the stamp shows the launch of SLV 3 Rocket with diagram of Rohini satellite. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PSLV: The Workhorse of India's Space Missions As the Cold War neared its end in late 1980s, India felt the need to move away from foreign launch vehicles for launching its own satellites. An indigenous platform not only meant strategic autonomy but also saving of precious foreign exchange. Thus, the workhorse of India's space programme, PSLV, was born. The first launcher in this series was PSLV-G which powered the PSLV-D1 mission on 20 September 1993 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Till date, PSLV has had 63 launches, out of which 59 have been successful giving it an incredible success rate of 93.65 per cent! Some of the notable launches by PSLV include: PSLV-C2 which deployed Oceansat-1, DLR-Tubsat, and Kitsat-3, PSLV-C28 which successfully deployed 5 satellites, PSLV-C34 which deployed a record breaking 20 satellites from different countries in a single flight, PSLV-C35 which was the first mission to deploy satellites in 2 different orbits, PSLV-C57 which deployed India's first solar observatory Aditya-L1, PSLV-C56 which deployed a Singapore satellite along with 6 smaller satellites. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On April 10, 2015 Department of Posts released a set of 2 stamps of 25 Rupees and 5 Rupees in a Joint Issue with France to commemorate 50 years of space cooperation between the two countries. The 5 Rupees stamp shows the Satellite 'Megha-Tropiques' which was launched by PSLV in 2011 in orbit around Earth. The 25 Rupees stamp shows the 'Satellite with ARgos and ALtika' (SARAL), which was launched by PSLV in 2013, orbiting the Earth with the Map of India in the background. On April 10, 2015 Department of Posts released a set of 2 stamps of 25 Rupees and 5 Rupees in a Joint Issue with France to commemorate 50 years of space cooperation between the two countries Reaching for the Moon The Chandrayaan missions also known as the Indian Lunar Exploration Programme, is India's ambitious pursuit of moon exploration. On October 22, 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was launched aboard PSLV. The mission was extremely successful as the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) landed near the Lunar South Pole and made the historic discovery of existence of water on Moon. On September 6, 2019, Chandrayaan-2 crash landed on moon's surface during its descent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not to be deterred, ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 mission and on August 23, 2023, Vikram lander made history by becoming the first human endeavour to land on the Lunar South Pole. Taare Zameen Par From Aryabhata to Chandrayaan-3, India's space missions reflect a saga of resilience, innovation, and vision. India has launched successful missions which have not only enhanced communication, weather forecasting, navigation, resource management but also saved precious foreign exchange and made India a key player in global space economy. India's space journey is no longer just about reaching the stars — it is about shaping the future. It is also about carrying the aspirations of a billion Indians with one cosmic milestone at a time. Krishna Kant Sharma (X: @krishnakant_75) is a New Delhi-based technology professional with experience in IT, Telecom & Digital Transformation domains. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Parliamentary panel holds comprehensive discussion on India's Indian Ocean Strategy
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Tuesday discussed India's Indian Ocean Strategy including the idea of the Blue Water Navy. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Chairman of Committee Shashi Tharoor said that Operation Sindoor was not discussed, but some of the elements that became apparent during that confrontation came up in conversations. Apart from the members, the meeting was attended by Defence Secretary, Secretary (East) in MEA and Vice Chief of Navy. The agenda of the meeting was 'Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy' with representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence to give oral evidence for examination of the subject. Tharoor described the discussion as 'outstanding' and said every one of the committee members present asked questions. 'We had an ongoing subject called India's Indian Ocean Strategy, which is a foreign policy subject that has important defence dimensions. We also had the Defence Secretary and the Navy present to brief us. The discussions were outstanding. We spent more than two-and-a-half hours in serious conversation on various aspects, which you will see in the report submitted to Parliament. We were blessed to have the Vice Chief of the Navy, the Defence Secretary, and the Secretary East of the Ministry of External Affairs. It was a very thorough discussion,' Tharoor said. 'Every single one of the committee members present asked questions... It's a tremendous sense of involvement in this discussion. We'll have a good report coming out of this very comprehensive discussion... All of this (Blue Water Navy) was discussed... The whole idea of the Blue Water Navy, our military capacity beyond that, everything was thoroughly discussed,' he added. The MPs present at the meeting included BJP's Nishikant Dubey, Arun Govil and RPN Singh and Congress MP KC Venugopal. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) had last month hosted the 'Second Blue Talks' in the national capital. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Costa Rica in India. India's maritime heritage is deeply rooted in its ancient traditions and rich history, with references to maritime activities found as early as the Rig Veda. Evidence from Indian literature, art, sculpture, painting, and archaeology underscores the existence of a vibrant maritime tradition that shaped the nation's identity. Modern India's maritime prowess manifests across all domains with its impressive 7,500 km coastline, 13 major ports, and 200 non-major ports, establishing it as an undisputed maritime powerhouse. Indian port's remarkable annual handling cargo capacity underscores the maritime sector's pivotal role in our economic landscape. The maritime sector facilitates around 95% of India's trade volume, and that accounts for 70% of its value, capitalising on the country's strategic Indian Ocean position. India's Navy is a full-fledged 'Blue Water Force with Green Footprint'. (ANI)
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
India Seriously Considering Blue Water Navy After Operation Sindoor; Parliamentary Panel Discusses...
NEW DELHI: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Tuesday discussed India's Indian Ocean Strategy including the idea of the Blue Water Navy. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Chairman of Committee Shashi Tharoor said that Operation Sindoor was not discussed, but some of the elements that became apparent during that confrontation came up in conversations. Apart from the members, the meeting was attended by Defence Secretary, Secretary (East) in MEA and Vice Chief of Navy. The agenda of the meeting was 'Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy' with representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence to give oral evidence for examination of the subject. Tharoor described the discussion as "outstanding" and said every one of the committee members present asked questions. "We had an ongoing subject called India's Indian Ocean Strategy, which is a foreign policy subject that has important defence dimensions. We also had the Defence Secretary and the Navy present to brief us. The discussions were outstanding. We spent more than two-and-a-half hours in serious conversation on various aspects, which you will see in the report submitted to Parliament. We were blessed to have the Vice Chief of the Navy, the Defence Secretary, and the Secretary East of the Ministry of External Affairs. It was a very thorough discussion," Tharoor said. "Every single one of the committee members present asked questions... It's a tremendous sense of involvement in this discussion. We'll have a good report coming out of this very comprehensive discussion... All of this (Blue Water Navy) was discussed... The whole idea of the Blue Water Navy, our military capacity beyond that, everything was thoroughly discussed," he added. The MPs present at the meeting included BJP's Nishikant Dubey, Arun Govil and RPN Singh and Congress MP KC Venugopal. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) had last month hosted the "Second Blue Talks" in the national capital. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Costa Rica in India. India's maritime heritage is deeply rooted in its ancient traditions and rich history, with references to maritime activities found as early as the Rig Veda. Evidence from Indian literature, art, sculpture, painting, and archaeology underscores the existence of a vibrant maritime tradition that shaped the nation's identity. Modern India's maritime prowess manifests across all domains with its impressive 7,500 km coastline, 13 major ports, and 200 non-major ports, establishing it as an undisputed maritime powerhouse. Indian port's remarkable annual handling cargo capacity underscores the maritime sector's pivotal role in our economic landscape. The maritime sector facilitates around 95% of India's trade volume, and that accounts for 70% of its value, capitalising on the country's strategic Indian Ocean position. India's Navy is a full-fledged "Blue Water Force with Green Footprint".
India Today
11-06-2025
- General
- India Today
How Caste, a word of Spanish origin, redefined Indian social order during British rule
One word that still thrives in India and continues to challenge society is caste. The word originated in Spain and was later used by Portuguese, and it was the British who institutionalised it within the Indian derived from casta, is now deeply linked with India's ancient social structure, the varna system, in which esoteric individuals based on the work performed and, by extension, their place in per the Rig Veda, the varna system divided society into four main groups: Brahmins, the learned class; Kshatriyas, the rulers and warriors; Vaishyas, the merchants and landowners; and Shudras, those who did manual labour. Outside this structure were those considered 'untouchables.' The first official Indian census was conducted in 1871, well before independence. It recorded over 2,500 castes. These caste listings included all professions -- for example, Sonar, a term for goldsmiths, was listed as a backward the 1931 census, the number of recorded castes had risen to over 3,000. This was the last time a caste-based census was held -- pre- or though caste -- a word not native to Indian soil -- became the most defining social construct of the land, shaping society for over two centuries, how did this happen? What changed and divided Indian society so deeply that it is now difficult to separate from it?advertisementWas Indian society fragile from the beginning, or did it evolve over time, with the differentiation of work and social categories outlined in the varna system becoming more rigid? These are the questions scholars and academics have long sought to answer. Specimen of various described castes(Image: Wikimedia Commons) VARNA, JATI, AND CASTEThe varna system, as mentioned in the Rig Veda, is thousands of years old and outlines how society and work were structured. Though there were four main varnas, epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana offer examples of how these identities could born a Kshatriya, was later revered as a Rishi due to his conduct. The story of Eklavya is often cited -- denied training by Dronacharya due to his varna, Eklavya's father, Hiranyadhanu, nonetheless served in King Jarasandha's army, showing that lower-caste individuals were not excluded from warfare or Indian texts, jati -- meaning birth -- is often mentioned less often than varna, but the concept is more complex. While varna divided society into four broad categories, jatis represented thousands of lineage- or occupation-based groups, though endogamous (a practice of marrying or mating within a specific group, such as a caste, ethnic group, religious group), varied across Dumont, a French anthropologist, linked jatis to religious purity and pollution, but others argue their origins are more secular, rooted in economics, politics, and jatis are often associated with jobs, they have not strictly limited occupational roles. Genetic studies suggest jatis practiced endogamy since the Gupta period, possibly are not exclusive to Hindus -- they are found among Muslims, Christians, and tribal populations, without one single hierarchical English word caste, now so commonly used in the Indian context, did not originate here. It came by way of Portugal. When the Portuguese first made landfall in India in the year 1498, they applied word 'casta' -- a term used for lineage or stock -- to describe the many birth-bound communities they English language took this word in by 1613, and it Sumit Guha, in his account Beyond Caste, writes of how Portuguese became a seafaring tongue, spoken in distant corners of Asia. Through this language, the West began to make sense of Indian life or tried time, the British would carry out that task further. Guha notes that 'casta' spoke first of blood -- of purity in animals, then people which derived from the concept of purity of blood, limpieza de imagined that a community's worth could be preserved by guarding the bloodline, especially through the modesty of its women. Dr Ambedkar with the leaders of 'Scheduled Caste Federation'. Scheduled Caste Federation Conference, Nagpur (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Anthropologist Morton Klass reminds us that there is no true match for the word caste in any Indian tongue. The Iberians, shaped by their own worldviews and prejudices, used casta to rank peoples they met -- first in Asia, then in the the Brisitsh engaged more with Indian society, they began to see it through their own them, India's jatis seemed like ordered groups, made to preserve ancestry. This view suited the world they came from -- a world where bloodlines and hierarchies mattered Portugal and Spain were deep in the trade of enslaved people only made such ideas more historian Charles Boxer once observed that the beliefs the Iberians carried -- whether by sea, cross, or sword -- did not fade quickly. For many years, race and rank walked hand in hand. The echoes, perhaps, still CASTE CENSUS AND ORIGIN OF NEW JATISWhen the British arrived in India, they stepped into a land full of rich traditions, local customs, and complex social networks. After centuries of invasions and changes in power, Indian society had become layered and diverse -- very different from what the ancient texts once community had its own way of life, and it was unlike anything the British had dealt with make sense of this diversity and to rule more efficiently, the British started recording details about the people. This led to the first complete census of India in 1871. It wasn't just about counting people -- it was about sorting them into groups based on caste, religion, occupation, and other like Sumit Guha believe that this was the first major step in giving caste a rigid and official place in Indian census didn't just reflect what society looked like; it shaped how people came to see themselves and each also recorded each individual's caste, religion, occupation, and age. These accounts went on until 1941 and had one major impact -- Britishers began defining how people came to be viewed in was fluid and dynamic began to become fixed on paper. Specimen of caste in India (Image: Wikimedia Commons) One sociologist, Michael Mann, has stated that these censuses were more of what the British required to govern rather than what the Indians British rarely knew how things actually operated here, so they relied on older religious writings and counsel from higher-caste leaders -- particularly Brahmins -- to determine how to document Indian British realised that if everyone could be put into tidy compartments, it would be possible to manage such a large nation. But not always.A Brahmin in Bengal, for instance, was more like other Bengal castes than like Brahmins elsewhere -- so the concept of one definite 'Brahmin' identity didn't quite Brahmin identity was there before the British, but it wasn't always rigid or were allowed to shift between roles, and there was openness for change. But once the British began inserting caste into official documents, it started to become more fixed and less accessible to why some authors think that the British didn't only document caste -- they assisted in forming what it was. Others think caste existed naturally but concur that the British made it more rigid in human let's pose the big question: did the British have a hand in establishing India's caste system, or did they reformulate it to suit their means of domination? That's something historians still debate Watch
