The second International Yoga Day was celebrated in Maharashtra today with Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis leading programmes in Mumbai.
The Governor participated in a yoga programme at Raj Bhavan early this morning and also in a programme organised by Mumbai University.
The chief minister took part in a programme organised at the Bandra Reclamation.
Over 200 Mantralaya employees performed yoga at Mantralaya.
The BMC conducted Upa Yoga programme across the city's 390 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation schools with participation of over one lakh children below the age of 14.
Upa Yoga teacher training for 800 teachers was also conducted.
Upa Yoga involves practising a set of seven five-minute modules of exercise.
Over 10,000 people, including Navy personnel and their families, took part in yoga camps organised by Western Naval Command in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
Defence personnel and their families participated at programmes at the Colaba Military Station and on board aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
Visually-impaired students from Victoria Memorial School for Blind, Tardeo, and Kamla Mehta Blind School, Dadar, also celebrated Yoga Day.
A programme called 'Yoga by the Bay' was also held in the city.
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In Nashik, large number of students, senior citizens and women took part in programmes held at educational institutes and social organisations.
Functions were also held at Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and Yashwantrao Chavan Open Maharashtra University.
City-based Yoga Vidyadham also organised a number of yoga sessions at different places which saw participation of people from all walks of life.
Nehru Yuva centre, Yoga Vidyalaya also held programmes to mark the day.
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Nearly half a dozen Maharashtra ministers, government employees and top officials, including the Chief Secretary, took part in the Yoga Day celebrations at the Mantralaya (Secretariat) in South Mumbai this morning.
The programme, organised in association with the city- based Yoga Institute, was attended by ministers Vinod Tawde, Girish Mahajan, Babanrao Lonikar, Deepak Kesarkar and Ram Shinde, a government release said.
Senior IAS officers and department secretaries also performed 'aasanas' at the event.
Chief Secretary Swadheen Kshatriya, who was present at the event, said: "The art of yoga is thousands of years old. Today, if the whole world is celebrating Yoga Day, the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On this day, let us all resolve to look after our physical and mental health."
Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, Yoga Institute, said: "It was heartening to see people's representatives and policy makers begin their day at Mantralaya in a unique manner, seeking to be in communion with their mind, body and soul. Maharashtra's ministers have set an example for everyone to follow. A few minutes of yoga every morning can enhance your energy and boost your efficiency.
