Mangaluru observes International Yoga Day

Mangaluru, Jul 22: A downpour and the chilly weather did not dampen the spirit of hundreds of yoga lovers in Kudla who gathered with their mats to celebrate International Yoga Day on Tuesday.

Dakshina Kannada district administration celebrated Yoga Day at the indoor court of Mangala Stadium. Around 200 people, including people's representatives, bureaucrats and students, participated in the yoga session. Yoga guru Gopalkrishna Delampady led the session. Capt Ganesh Karnik, MLC, inaugurated the programme and asked everyone to inculcate yoga for a healthy living.

B Ramanath Rai, district incharge minister, was absent from the event. Karnik said Rai practises yoga every day. Political pressure may have kept him away from practising as well attending a programme somewhere else.

Anti Pollution Drive (APD) foundation celebrated Yoga Day by roping in more than 300 pourakarmikas (civic workers) of Mangalore City Corporation. The programme was organized by the APD in association with Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited and Yoga Kuteera, Mangaluru. Radhakrishna Shetty of Yoga Kuteera, Kadri, Mangaluru, conducted the session.

The instructor demonstrated some basic easy-to-learn yoga exercises that the participants can practise daily. A laughter therapy session was the highlight of the programme.

Mayor Harinath said, "It is not enough to be physically fit, but you should be mentally strong as well. Hence, you should take time to perform yoga to maintain physical and mental balance."

Yoga Day was celebrated at Expert PU College's Kodialbail and Valachil campuses. "Yoga helps students in focussing on studies," said Narendra L Nayak, chairman of the institution.

Yoga Day was celebrated at Mangaluru International Airport with the participation of Central Industrial Security Force and staff of Airport Authority of India and Bureau of Immigration and civilians.

Mata Amritanandamayi Math celebrated the day with fervour and zeal. The members of AYUDH, youth wing of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, devotees and students of Sri Narayana Guru College, Kudroli, participated in the yoga session that was held on Amrita Vidyalayam premises in Boloor.

Corporation Bank celebrated Yoga Day at its corporate office. Jai Kumar Garg, managing director and CEO; Sunil Mehta, executive director of the bank; and other staff members were present on the occasion. NMPT organized a yoga campaign by demonstrating yogasanas at JNC Hall, Panambur. Suresh P Shirwadkar, deputy chairman, inaugurated the programme that HoDs, employees of the port, CISF, family members, school children and residents attended.