Surat: The city of Surat was abuzz with the joy of Yoga as it hosted the ‘Yoga Mahotsav,’ a grand celebration leading up to the International Day of Yoga-2024. Taking place at the Police Parade Ground in Athwalines, this event witnessed a massive turnout, with over seven thousand eager participants coming together to immerse themselves in the practice of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) from 7.00 AM on May 2nd, 2024. Their enthusiastic participation underscored the growing significance of Yoga in promoting personal and societal well-being.
Gracing the occasion were esteemed dignitaries including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Satyajit Paul, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Ayush; Prof. Avinash Chandra Pandey, Director of the Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi and Inter-University Centre for Yogic Sciences, Bengaluru; and Vaidya Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). Their presence added profound significance to the event, symbolizing a shared commitment to the promotion of Yoga and the advancement of holistic well-being.
Addressing the gathering, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha commended Surat for its contributions to the nation’s development and expressed his delight at the disciplined presence of attendees at the ‘Yoga Mahotsav.’ He highlighted the global attention garnered by Yoga, with millions participating in International Day of Yoga events worldwide. He also announced plans for a major event in Bodhgaya to mark the 25th countdown to IDY-2024.
Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of MDNIY, underscored the role of the Yoga Mahotsav in paving the way for the International Day of Yoga 2024 (IDY-2024), emphasizing its importance in promoting the universal practice of Yoga. A live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol showcased the expertise of practitioners from MDNIY, with over 7000 enthusiasts actively participating in the demonstration.
The event also witnessed the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, Gujrat Yog Board, representatives from the state government, and numerous other distinguished dignitaries and experts. Messages from revered Yoga masters further highlighted the significance of Yoga in promoting personal and societal well-being.
In conjunction with MDNIY, the Ministry of Ayush is organizing a series of Mass Yoga Demonstrations and sessions as part of the ‘100 Days, 100 Cities, and 100 Organizations’ campaign, involving schools, universities, institutes, colleges, corporate bodies, as well as all states and union territories. This initiative aims to commemorate IDY-2024 and further promote the practice of Yoga across the nation.