11th International Yoga Day in Haryana Marked Several Milestones

CM Nayab Singh Saini Made Several Announcements at State-Level Event in Kurukshetra

A Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme to Promote Research on Yoga in Universities; Outstanding Writers to be Honored Each Year

100 New Yoga evam Vyayamshalas to be Established Across the State in This Financial Year

Credit-Based Evaluation System for Yoga Performance to be Introduced in All Government Schools

Yoga and Naturopathy to be Recognized Under AYUSH; Government Registration of Practitioners to Begin

Chandigarh, June 21 — The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated across Haryana with great enthusiasm and held special significance this year. While over 1 lakh people gathered at the sacred Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra for the state-level event, sending a powerful message to the world through collective yoga practice, nearly 20 lakh participants joined yoga sessions held across 22 districts and 121 blocks of the state.

The state-level function was graced by Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, AYUSH and Health Minister, Kumari Arti Singh Rao, MP, Sh. Naveen Jindal, and renowned Ayurvedacharya, Sh. Balkrishna and other dignitaries. Notably, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev led the yoga session. The live broadcast of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s address from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was watched by all participants.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that a Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme will be launched to promote yoga research in universities, with outstanding authors to be honored annually. Additionally, 100 new Yoga evam Vyayamshalas will be established this financial year. Currently, there are 883 vyayamshalas already operating in the state. An international meditation hall will also be built at Shri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra, he announced.

The Chief Minister further announced the introduction of a credit-based evaluation system for assessing students’ yoga performance in all government schools. A uniform yoga curriculum will also soon be implemented in all universities and colleges of Haryana.

He stated that yoga and naturopathy subjects will be recognized under the AYUSH, starting this year, with government registration of practitioners also commencing.

The Chief Minister also announced that experienced coaches will be appointed to strengthen yoga as a sport at the national level and to train athletes for international competitions. Recruitment for 40 yoga instructors in the sports department will begin shortly.

He announced that from today, a 5-minute 'Yoga Break' will be introduced in all government offices of Haryana to provide a stress-free work environment for employees.

PM Narendra Modi Re-established Yoga as India’s Identity on the Global Stage- CM

Extending greetings on the 11th International Yoga Day from the land of Kurukshetra, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the entire world is now embracing yoga, thanks to the efforts of saints, sages, and especially our visionary Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister has restored yoga—India’s ancient legacy—to the international stage and inspired millions with the slogan, "Khelega Bharat, toh Khilega Bharat; Yoga ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz," which has become a source of motivation for many.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Yog Guru Swami Ramdev, noting that he has connected individuals worldwide with ancient yoga practices, thus giving yoga a global identity.

He emphasized that this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” signifies that yoga is not just for individual well-being but for the welfare of all humanity.

International Yoga Day Celebrated Like a Festival; Entire Haryana Immersed in Yoga

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini shared that activities related to Yoga Day began in Haryana as early as May 27, 25 days before the International Yoga Day. Various programmes were organized across the state, involving officers, employees, the general public, and religious and social organizations, transforming Yoga Day into a grand celebration. Today, both Kurukshetra and all of Haryana have been immersed in yoga.

Yoga is Not Just Exercise, but a Complete Science of Living

The Chief Minister noted that yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a complete science for living a healthy, happy, and peaceful life. Yoga is an art of living, which is why it is said: ‘Do yoga daily, stay healthy always.’ We should all incorporate yoga into our daily routines, he said.

Yoga is the Foundation of Life, Devotion, Nature, and Culture — Swami Ramdev

On this occasion, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev stated that yoga is the foundation of life, devotion, nature, and culture. He recalled how Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi had strongly advocated for International Yoga Day in his very first address to the United Nations General Assembly. As a result, in 2014, the UN passed a historic resolution declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day, with 177 countries supporting the proposal at that time. Today, more than 200 countries are embracing yoga, making this ancient practice a global way of life.

Swami Ramdev also emphasized the Prime Minister’s vision of development with heritage, prosperity with culture, and yoga as national duty.

He praised the Haryana government, under Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership, for launching many welfare initiatives and connecting lakhs of people to yoga through numerous events.

During the programme, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini released three booklets published by Patanjali Yogpeeth on Swami Ramdev’s life and yoga journey, as well as a Yoga Protocol booklet prepared by the Haryana Yog Aayog. A video message from Geeta Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj was also played during the event.

Former Minister, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Chairman, Haryana Yog Aayog, Dr. Jaideep Arya, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and AYUSH Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General, AYUSH, Sh. Sanjeev Verma, and other dignitaries, were also present at the event.

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Chief Minister inaugurates PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of Inland Container Depot, Dhirpur in Kurukshetra

Prosperity of farmers, entrepreneurs, and traders will rise; new employment opportunities for youth, says CM

Modern facilities ranging from customs clearance to warehousing and cold storage now available at one location

Chandigarh, June 21 — Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini logistics and supply chain- CMsaid that Haryana will emerge as a new power in the field of logistics and supply chain. The Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhirpur, Kurukshetra will become a milestone in the Viksit Bharat- Viksit Haryana’. This initiative will boost prosperity for the state's farmers, entrepreneurs, and traders, while providing new employment opportunities for our youth, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister was addressing at the inauguration ceremony of the PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal of Inland Container Depot in Dhirpur on Saturday.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the investment of Dubai’s Sharaf Group in Haryana reflects strong confidence in the state's economic policies and business-friendly environment. It is also a symbol of the strengthening economic ties between India and the United Arab Emirates, he said.

He said that this is not merely the launch of a modern logistics facility, it is a significant step toward empowering Haryana’s potential, enhancing the prosperity of farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs, and shaping a brighter future for our youth. A nation builds its future on the foundation of its past. Kurukshetra has always been known for bold and visionary decisions. Today, this Inland Container Depot represents yet another such step, which will write a new chapter in Haryana’s economic story, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said that this ICD will further strengthen our resolve, led by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, to make Vikist Bharat and bring the nation’s infrastructure up to global standards. He said that it will serve as a powerful medium to connect North India’s potential to global markets. This state-of-the-art container depot has been built on 18 acres of land. Additionally, Sharaf Group is operating a Multi-Modal Logistics Park on 115 acres in Palwal and developing a transshipment hub on 30 acres in Rewari, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister shared that Union Minister and former Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal had given his consent to this project during his visit to Dubai, showcasing Haryana’s ‘Ease of Doing Business.’ This ICD project is a testament to Haryana’s policies in the logistics and economic sectors and our "Go Global" approach, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further said that the government is taking effective steps not just to improve Ease of Doing Business, but also to reduce business costs for entrepreneurs. The Foreign Cooperation Department is a unique example of this effort, offering guidance and assistance to entrepreneurs while also providing skilled human resources for employment both in India and abroad, he said.

Modern facilities from customs clearance to warehousing and cold storage now at one location

The Chief Minister said that there was a time when such modern facilities were only available in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Now, facilities such as customs clearance, warehousing, and cold storage will all be available here at one location. This will further boost Ease of Doing Business and create new investment opportunities in Haryana, he said.

The Chief Minister said that it is because of such projects that Haryana currently ranks second in India in the Logistics Index. Moreover, Haryana has consistently maintained the ‘Achiever’ category among landlocked states in the LEADS survey for three consecutive years — 2022, 2023, and 2024, he said.

ICD will become a gateway to global trade

The Chief Minister said that this depot in Kurukshetra will serve as a ‘Gateway to Global Trade’ for Haryana. Until now, farmers, entrepreneurs, and traders in the state faced numerous challenges when sending their products to ports, both in terms of time and cost.

He said that this depot will reduce logistics costs by 20 to 30 percent and significantly save time. As products start reaching markets on time, both the reputation and demand for Haryana’s products in international markets will rise. Youth will also find employment opportunities in logistics, transportation, packaging, management, and related services, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

An excellent example of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan

The Chief Minister said that this depot is an excellent example of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. He said that the vision of Gati Shakti is to promote integrated and holistic infrastructure development across the country. This facility will serve as an important logistics gateway not only for Haryana but also for neighboring states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, boosting the economy of all of North India, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said that the state's Ease of Doing Business policy has transformed the business environment. To reduce regulatory burden, over 1,100 complex compliances have been simplified. This progressive domestic policy directly contributes to Haryana’s ambitious "Go Global" vision. The government is also amending the land pooling policy to make it more effective, facilitating the development of 10 new mega-scale Integrated Model Townships, he said.

The Chief Minister urged young entrepreneurs to take full advantage of this facility and contribute to making Haryana the largest export hub in the country.

On this occasion, former Minister of State, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Vice Chairman, Sharaf Group, Mr. Sharafuddin Sharaf, Chairman, Sharaf Group Mr. Salah Sharaf, and other dignitaries were present.

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Make Yoga a Way of Life for a Healthy Future: Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi

Haryana Civil Secretariat Officials Participate in International Yoga Day Programme in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, June 21 – The Haryana Civil Secretariat hosted a Yoga Diwas programme at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh, to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day. Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event saw enthusiastic participation from officers and employees across various state government departments, highlighting a growing awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being.

Addressing the gathering, Sh. Rastogi extended his heartfelt wishes on International Yoga Day and commended all participants for their collective effort in following the Common Yoga Protocol.He emphasized that yoga is not just a physical activity, but a holistic discipline that fosters balance between body, mind, and spirit. "If each of us dedicates even a small amount of time daily to yoga and walking, it will significantly boost our fitness, focus, and energy levels. This, in turn, enhances both personal well-being and professional efficiency," he stated.

Rastogi urged officers and employees to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and encouraged them to inspire others—both in their workplaces and communities—to adopt a healthy lifestyle. He added, "Yoga not only strengthens the body but also cultivates mental clarity, emotional stability, and resilience."

The programme featured a guided session led by expert instructors from the Haryana AYUSH Department. They demonstrated various yogasanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation practices. The instructors also explained the benefits of each asana, highlighting their contribution to physical strength, flexibility, and inner calm. Additionally, participants listened to the International Yoga Day addresses by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Among the dignitaries present were Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture, K. Makarand Pandurang; Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs, Aditya Dahiya; Special Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination, Dr. Priyanka Soni; Additional Director (Admn.), Information Public Relation & Languages, Varsha Khangwal; Special Secretary, Secretariat Establishment, Sh. Samwartak Singh Khangwal, and senior officers from various other departments.

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Punjab and Haryana High Court celebrates International Yoga Day 2025 with great Zeal and unity

Chandigarh, June 21- The International Yoga Day 2025, was celebrated at the premises of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh under the aegis of Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, Sh. Justice Sheel Nagu, The theme of this event was "Yoga for One Earth One Health" and this day was celebrated as per the guidelines received from the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi. Judges, Members of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, officers and officials of the High Court participated in the event and showed huge enthusiasm while performing different Yoga Asanas and meditation.

On this occasion, the participants were apprised by Yoga Trainer about the benefits of Yoga being an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition and that Yoga helps in physical development and mental relaxation as well as development of strength, flexibility and immunity. This is especially important in the present scenario when the mental and physical health of the people has come under dire stress. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature.

International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21 every year and this year also the day is being celebrated across India with an objective to make it a part of the daily routine of every individual and to highlight the importance of Yoga and how it is beneficial in keeping the body and mind in sound health for the cause of "Public Health".