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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
60-day river yoga floats dual message of wellness & cleanliness
Lucknow: The 60-day River Yoga campaign, blending wellness and environmental action, concluded with a mass yoga demonstration at Kudiya Ghat on International Yoga Day on Saturday. The campaign was led by the Gomti Task Force (137 Composite Ecological Task Force Battalion, Territorial Army), in collaboration with the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG-UP), Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), and the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC). The drive brought together students, civil society members, and volunteers for daily yoga sessions and riverbank clean-up campaigns. The concluding event, which drew over 300 participants, featured a mass yoga demonstration, an exhibition summarising the 60-day campaign, and felicitation of key contributors. Attendees included Rajya Sabha members Dinesh Sharma, former minister Mohsin Raza, Prof Venkatesh Dutta from BBAU, civic officials, and representatives from the army. "We completed 60 days of continuous clean-up and yoga on the banks of Gomti. The campaign has led to the approval of several eco-measures, such as a dedicated budget in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation for a trash skimmer, and the start of continuous monitoring of STPs and drains," said Prof Venkatesh Dutta, who added that the initiative was a model of civil-military-academic collaboration, promoting a people-led approach to environmental restoration and river rejuvenation. Launched on April 21, the campaign operated daily from 6-8am across five major ghats — Kudiya, Mankameshwar, Jhulelal, Gau, and Chhath. Each session began with guided yoga led by certified instructors and was followed by clean-up activities involving NCC/NSS cadets, local NGOs, and residents. Weekly themes such as "plastic-free ghats" and "mindfulness by the river" emphasized the connection between personal well-being and ecological responsibility. The initiative resulted in several civic outcomes, including continuous monitoring of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and drains flowing into the Gomti.
India Today
22-04-2025
- General
- India Today
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 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 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 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.' advertisement 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. IN THIS STORY#Lucknow
