Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Yoga is an invaluable gift from India’s ancient culture, bestowed by sages for the collective welfare of humanity, and its historical journey has now assumed a truly magnificent global dimension. This was stated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday while addressing a special yoga practice session organized ahead of International Yoga Day at the Main Dham Baba Bhuman Shah in Sangar Sarista village, Sirsa. The Chief Minister emphasized that yoga is far more than a routine physical exercise; it represents a comprehensive way of life that harmoniously connects the body, mind, soul, and society. During his visit to this major spiritual center, Saini presented ceremonial shawls to Baba Brahmdas Maharaj and Mahant Mahesh Muni Maharaj of Kurukshetra, noting that the ashram filled him with profound peace and positive energy.
Reflecting on the global impact of the discipline, the Chief Minister highlighted that the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully led the United Nations General Assembly to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, backed by an overwhelming support of 177 nations. From Times Square in New York to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, India’s spiritual heritage is being widely celebrated, demonstrating a cultural influence rooted in penance rather than force. Saini added that the year 2026 marks a pleasant coincidence as the global celebration aligns with the completion of 12 years of the central government under Prime Minister Modi, a period defined by massive infrastructural growth alongside the global promotion of mental peace and holistic health. Under the Prime Minister’s vision, yoga has also been granted status as a competitive sport and integrated into the Khelo India Youth Games, with popular slogans like “Half an hour of yoga daily” inspiring millions.
Paying rich tributes to Baba Bhuman Shah, the Chief Minister described him as a phenomenal social reformer who dedicated his life to feeding the hungry, guiding the lost, and empowering the most marginalized sections of society. He praised the Kamboj community, noting that the history of the Dera Baba Bhuman Shah is a living symbol of patriotism, rigorous hard work, and service. Saini noted that the saint’s teachings heavily emphasized an addiction-free lifestyle, reminding humanity that life is a divine gift that must not be wasted on social evils like substance abuse. He commended Baba Brahmdas Maharaj for carrying this legacy forward by setting new benchmarks in education, healthcare, and spirituality.
In line with these teachings, Chief Minister Saini issued a passionate call to the youth to actively participate in building a drug-free society, noting that the national vision of a developed India by 2047 can only be realized if its citizens remain healthy, conscious, and resilient. He reiterated that his administration is consistently working on the progressive theme of a “Yoga-Yukit, Nasha-Mukt Haryana” (Yoga-Aligned, Drug-Free Haryana) to safeguard the future of the state’s younger generation.
Detailing the extensive steps taken to make Haryana a healthier and yoga-oriented state, Saini proudly mentioned that Haryana is the first state in India to establish a dedicated Yoga Commission and make yoga education a compulsory subject for students from Classes 1 to 10. Specialized training modules and dedicated clubs have been set up across colleges and universities, supplemented by the establishment of the Sri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra. Furthermore, the state is committed to constructing wellness centers across 6,500 villages, with 883 infrastructure units already fully functional and 859 AYUSH Yoga Sahayaks actively deployed. Additionally, 397 AYUSH dispensaries and 109 sub-health centers have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, featuring 156 newly appointed yoga instructors, alongside corporate initiatives introducing daily yoga breaks for industrial workers and specialized weekly health camps for senior citizens.
