Did Dr. Mandaviya Lead a Yoga Session with 1500 Enthusiasts at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi?

New Delhi, June 21 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the yoga movement and spearheaded the celebrations for International Day of Yoga 2025 nationwide from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday. In his address, he remarked, “Yoga has bridged the world and is meant for everyone, transcending boundaries, backgrounds, ages, and abilities.”

In alignment with the Prime Minister's vision, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, engaged in various yoga practices, including Surya Namaskar, alongside over 1500 yoga enthusiasts, which included more than 400 volunteers from My Bharat, during the Fit India Cult Yogathon. This event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Ayush’s Yoga Sangam at the Cycling Velodrome within the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

In support of the Yoga Sangam’s theme ‘Yoga for one earth, one health’, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) organized the Yoga Sangam across all its facilities, including Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), SAI Training Centres, Khelo India Centres (KICs), and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs).

Dr. Mandaviya was accompanied by former India hockey captain Rani Rampal, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Priyanka Goswami, along with notable actors Jackky Bhagnani, Rakul Preet Singh, and Madhurima Tuli, who all participated in various yoga exercises. The Union Sports Minister also recognized actor-producer couple Rakulpreet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani as Fit India Icons and awarded them certificates.

MoS Raksha Nikhil Khadse led a Yoga Sangam event in her constituency of Jalgaon, in the esteemed presence of Maharashtra State Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan and Textiles Minister Sanjay Savkare, alongside over 3000 yoga practitioners.

Reflecting on International Day of Yoga and the Yoga Sangam initiative, Mandaviya expressed: “I wish everyone the best on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. Yoga is part of our culture and should be incorporated into our daily lives. Today’s celebrations across the nation are part of Yoga Sangam, themed ‘Yoga for one earth, one health.’ Through the Fit India Cult Yogathon, the Sports Ministry is also celebrating this day. I encourage all citizens to practice yoga regularly to maintain health and fitness. Yoga is a mantra for well-being and a healthy lifestyle.”

Expressing his delight at receiving the Fit India Icon award from the Sports Minister, actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani stated that the vision of PM Modi and the Sports Minister is remarkable, and he is thrilled to be part of the Yogathon initiative. He emphasized the importance of fitness among the youth, stating that physical fitness leads to a positive mental state.

“I am very pleased to witness our Hon’ble Sports Minister leading initiatives like Sundays on Cycle to raise awareness about combating obesity and air pollution. At one point, I weighed 150 kgs, and now I am down to 75 kgs. I find great motivation in the efforts of our Sports Minister. I am extremely happy to be here for Yogathon,” Bhagnani added.

Rakulpreet expressed, “It is a great honor for us to be recognized as a Fit India couple and to partake in this remarkable initiative by the Sports Ministry and Government of India. Jackky and I hope to inspire more individuals to adopt fitness as a lifestyle. Yoga doesn’t necessitate fancy gyms; it can be comfortably practiced at home.”

The collaboration between Cult Fit and the Fit India movement has united the public and private sectors, with more than 100 Cult Fit centers aiming for a collective goal of 1 million Suryanamaskars.

Padmashree awardee Rani Rampal commended the Ministry of Ayush and the Sports Ministry for promoting yoga to the masses through initiatives like Yoga Sangam and the Fit India Cult Yogathon. She inspired the Indian women’s hockey team to a silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and a gold medal at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy.

“Yoga is advantageous for everyone, and all Indians should integrate yoga into their daily routines, not just athletes. A fit and healthy nation is essential for achieving a Viksit Bharat, as our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, has stated. I’ve noticed our Hon’ble Sports Minister dedicating time each week to fitness-related activities, and as citizens, we must do the same. I truly appreciate the slogan ‘One Earth, one health’ for today’s Yogathon; indeed, health is our true wealth,” Rani remarked.

Olympian race walker Priyanka Goswami, while extending her best wishes to all Indian citizens on International Day of Yoga, stated: “I urge every citizen to prioritize their physical and mental health on this 11th International Day of Yoga. For a sport like racewalking, managing your mind over a distance of 30-35 kilometers is challenging. Your mind can waver after every kilometer, making yoga essential. Through daily meditation, I strive to harness my mind. I encourage the youth to focus on physical activity and healthy nutrition, steering clear of drugs; this will contribute to making our nation fitter.”

The event welcomed individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels, promoting participation in a day that included meditation and yoga nidra. Through this unified celebration, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reaffirmed its commitment to the timeless practice of yoga and its ongoing significance in contemporary society.