Lucknow, June 21: On the 12th International Yoga Day, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel led a collective yoga session with the Matrushakti group at Jan Bhawan. She emphasized that yoga should not be seen merely as a one-day celebration but as a lifestyle and a cultural practice. During the event, she directed that every Anganwadi center be developed into a ‘Garbh Sanskar Kendra’ (Center for Prenatal Care), highlighting the crucial role of yoga in building a healthy, capable, and developed India.
At the event held at Jan Bhawan, Governor Patel shared the message of adopting a healthy lifestyle. She stated that yoga serves as a medium to transform negativity into creativity and lethargy into positivity, urging its integration into daily life. The program also featured a live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from Kolkata, which was attended by a large audience.
In a separate event at the Jan Bhawan Adarsh Secondary School, male officials, employees, and representatives from various institutions participated in yoga practice. Governor Patel noted that over the past 12 years, International Yoga Day has given yoga a global identity. Once limited to sages and ascetics, yoga has now become a part of millions of people’s lifestyles, with children, youth, women, and the elderly recognizing its importance.
She pointed out that women often neglect their health while managing family responsibilities, urging them to incorporate yoga into their daily routines. This year’s theme for Yoga Day, ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging,’ promotes the idea of maintaining a healthy and active old age. She expressed concern over rising obesity rates among children and stressed the need to promote nutritious diets and healthy lifestyles.
The Governor instructed the Women and Child Development Department to transform every Anganwadi into a ‘Garbh Sanskar Kendra.’ She emphasized the need for providing pregnant women with proper nutrition, a positive environment, health-related information, and guidance related to values during their nine months of pregnancy. She called for extensive initiatives in this direction with the support of voluntary organizations.
Governor Patel stated that health is the true wealth of life, and with this philosophy, Jan Bhawan is being developed as a hub for health, yoga, environment, culture, and public welfare initiatives. Regular yoga practices, exercises, and health-promoting activities are being encouraged here. She mentioned that the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 636 officials and employees working at Jan Bhawan has been tested, with health check-ups scheduled every three months.
She also reported that the ‘Ananda Physiotherapy and Treatment Center’ at Jan Bhawan has provided health services to 88 personnel so far. Additionally, regular events such as cycling rallies, health camps, tree planting, and cleanliness drives are organized to promote a drug-free society and environmental protection. Jan Bhawan hosts over 19 traditional sports events annually, involving officials, employees, and their families, along with special sports activities for children who have left begging.
The Governor highlighted that Jan Bhawan is being transformed into an inspiring center for education, culture, environment, and Indian life values. In this context, a replica of the journey from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar and a musical fountain based on the concept of Lord Shiva’s damru are being developed. The Panchatantra complex is also being modernized to introduce children to Indian knowledge traditions.
She reiterated that yoga is not just physical exercise but a means to give life a positive direction. Where there is yoga, there is health; where there is health, there is happiness; and where there is happiness, there is true prosperity in life. Therefore, yoga should be embraced as a value rather than just a program to commit to building a healthy and developed India.
During the event, the state’s Minister of Higher Education, Rajni Tiwari, extended her best wishes for Yoga Day, acknowledging that Prime Minister Modi‘s efforts have given yoga a global identity, with over 180 countries celebrating it enthusiastically. She urged people to practice yoga regularly throughout the year. The event at Jan Bhawan saw participation from Indian Army officials, spouses of former soldiers, Lions Club members, Inner Wheel, Red Cross, Brahma Kumaris, Akanksha, Ayush College, various universities, and a large number of women residing and working at Jan Bhawan.
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