From ‘Bharatmala’ to ‘Sagarmala’, Armed Forces & ICG celebrate IDY with full zeal

New Delhi: The Ninth International Yoga Day was celebrated by the Indian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard with great zeal. The Indian Army formed a 'Bharatmala' by conducting Yoga all along the border areas of the nation, ranging from the eastern extremity of Dong, where the first rays of the Sun fall in India to the sand dunes of Longewala in Rajasthan, where the epic battle was fought in 1971; from the glacial heights of Siachen to the southern tip of Kanyakumari and in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 

The troops, families including children and defence civilians actively participated in the event. The local populace at all locations was also actively co-opted in the Yoga activities.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff was the Chief Guest at the mass Yoga event organised at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi. The Army Chief's participation encouraged everyone to make Yoga a daily habit. Continuing with the enhanced Indo-Africa partnership, outreach was also organised in African nations through Indian Army contingents deployed in United Nations (UN) Mission areas and in other Training Teams abroad.

On the occasion of the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY-23) under the theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' and 'Yoga from Arctic to Antarctica', yoga camps were conducted by units of Western Naval Command (WNC) on 21 Jun 23 from 0700-0830 hrs as per Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) promulgated by the Ministry of Ayush. 

A total of over 7000 naval personnel and defence civilians (including family members) took part in camps organised at various locations, which included naval units based in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka. Yoga was also conducted by naval personnel on board naval ships and submarines on the high seas and in five foreign ports with great enthusiasm showcasing the benefits of yoga across the oceans and in accordance with the prescribed theme.

To mark the occasion, Indian Coast Guard created coastal ring/Sagarmala all along the country's coastline by organizing special yoga sessions at all stations, ships and units in the coastal states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal as well as in the far-flung islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

The coastal ring created all along the peninsular India from Kutch (Gujarat) to Kolkata (West Bengal) symbolizing sacrosanct Yoga participation by Indian Coast Guard personnel was based on this year's theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga'. The islands (A&N and Lakshadweep) hinterland stations (Gandhinagar-Delhi) depicted their active presence as jewel to this ring.

The day witnessed an enthusiastic participation at Delhi NCR by Coast Guard fraternity where over 500 enthusiasts joined, demonstrating their commitment not only to safeguarding the nation's vast coast line but also towards fostering a healthy and balanced. The event was inaugurated by ADG Rakesh Pal, PTM, TM, DGICG (Addl Charge) in the presence of Mrs Dipa Pal, President Tatrakshika and senior officers.

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