The University Yoga Committee and the National Service Scheme, also called the NSS Cell of NEHU marked the occasion of the International Yoga Day at 6 AM sharp, on 21st of June. The NEHU campus was designated as one of the 75 International Yoga Day celebration sites in India.
Teachers, non-teaching staff and employees, as well as students from different colleges in Meghalaya, attended the Yoga session with great enthusiasm and pride and in large numbers. The volunteers of the National Education System, of the NSS unit, joined forces with NSS Unit members and volunteers to attend the Yoga workshop.
Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, graced the event and addressed the participants. He revealed that, as part of the 50th anniversary of NEHU, the university aims to run another Yoga session with a goal of attracting many more participants, in thousands, from throughout the institution and surrounding areas.
In terms of creativity and service to the local people and other nearby areas, according to the UGC's instructions, Prof. Shukla developed a strategy for community outreach in terms of invention and service.
He enchanted the audience by stating that in his previous 11 months of service, he had to clean so much dirt that it reminded him of the transformative dimension of Yoga, which elevates the human spirit and human self. Prof. Shukla also urged the NEHU community to embrace their responsibilities and duties toward society as a means of Yoga, which, he believes, is the practical side of Yoga and its spirituality.
NSS Programme Coordinator at the NSS unit Dr Marbhador Khymdeit's active units in various colleges of Meghalaya were deployed to carry out Yoga as part of the project.
In Meghalaya, an overall of close to 3,600 NSS volunteers practised Yoga and celebrated the deeper meaning of the day and its significance. Dr Khymdeit also complimented all of the NSS units at different colleges for making the Yoga Day event a successful one.
The Yoga event was organized in collaboration with the Minority Affairs Ministry & AYUSH, as well as the Meghalaya Government.
At the event, MoS for Minority Affairs, John Barla, was the Guest of Honour, while Health Minister James Sangma was the Chief Guest.
Barla addressed the crowd, noting that this year's celebration is significant because it coincides with India's 75th anniversary of Independence (locally known as the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav). He urged the audience to make Yoga a part of their daily routine and to spread the message throughout every home in order to achieve the objective of a fit and healthy India, emphasizing that this is not merely a day for celebration.
“It is a matter of pride to be an Indian because Yoga was founded in India. ‘Yoga, as it exists today, has prominence in addressing the many health concerns that afflict our society,'” said the Meghalaya CM.
The majority of the class was conducted at the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, Shillong (NEIAH). The activity included about 800 people, including students from NEIAH, and Shillong Polytechnic, as well as soldiers.
At the NEC Secretariat, Shillong, under the supervision of Adviser (T&C) Naveen Kumar's leadership, International Yoga Day was celebrated with full enthusiasm and zeal.
In collaboration with Art of Living, Meghalaya, the International Day of Yoga was also celebrated at the headquarters of the Chief Engineer, Military Engineering Services, Shillong Zone. MES Chief Engineer Sanjay Ekbote, senior officials, junior commission officers and other important personnel and their family members were in attendance.
SPARK's underprivileged youngsters observed Yoga day with enthusiasm, following this year's theme "Yoga for Humanity," which was inspired by Tariq Ramadan. The celebration was organized in all of SPARK's educational facilities, with over 250 children taking part in the event.
Other activities were held at the College of Postgraduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan with Metallica-Sargam Sports & Cultural Club, Shillong, and Meghalaya Yog Samiti & Patanjali Yog Parivar in Polo to commemorate the day. Sankardev College's NSS unit also hosted Alpana Chakraborty, a retired Asst. Professor from St Anthony's College as a resource person.