West Bengal celebrates International Yoga Day

West Bengal today joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Yoga Day with people cutting across age and gender performing yogic exercises even as three Union Ministers participated in events across the state to mark the UN-designated day.
The celebration was kicked off by Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad at Sports Authority Of India complex in the city at 6.30 am.
"Yoga is not a symbol of any particular faith, it is not a symbol of any particular path. It is a symbol of mankind, peace and brotherhood. It is a symbol of the culture, heritage of our country. Yoga is for moral values and for the well being of the mankind regardless of its community, faith or nationality," Prasad said on the occasion.

He also urged Pakistan to reconsider its stand of not observing the day, noting that "nearly 44 Islamic countries" were doing it.
He observed that yoga would have helped in "bringing peace" in Pakistan.
"It is very important to know that more than 190 countries agreed that yoga is important for mankind and out of those 190 countries nearly 44 were Islamic countries. Never ever there has been such massive response on a proposal. You can see that yoga is taking place in New York, China, London also," Prasad said.

In Kharagpur, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan attended a yoga camp along with BJP Bengal unit vice-president Subhas Sarkar.

"Narendra Modi has created new awareness about yoga not only in India but in the whole world. Yoga not only keeps one physically fit, but ensures rejuvenated mind and soul and make us more matured," Vardhan told reporters.
The minister participated in yoga sessions at IIT auditorium and the local stadium.
Union Minister of State for Urban Development Babul Supriyo too participated in the celebrations at a Yoga Camp in Burnpur in Burdwan district.
At the SAI complex, hundreds of people cutting across age groups took part in the Yoga session. Prasad also took part in the exercises and 'pranayams'.

"My real love with yoga started when I was a student and was in jail as I was detained under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) for participating in JP movement way back in mid 70s," a relaxed-looking Prasad told reporters later.