International Day of Yoga

International Day of Yoga on 21st June, 2016 Programme organized by Soroptimist International of Bombay Chembur.
On 21 June, 2016 Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Chembur celebrated the International Day of Yoga. 164 students of the second year Bachelor of Commerce programme participated enthusiastically. The event began at 6.30 p.m. in the multipurpose ground floor hall of the Mahatma Education Society’s Chembur Campus. The objective of this event was to initiate students to yoga and encourage them to make it a way of life for a healthy, peaceful and happy life.

National Association of Soroptimist International of India past President Annette Mascarenhas kindly consented to preside as guest of honour and Soroptimsit Annapoorna Patil, the resource person, taught the students Pranayam (breathing exercises) and explained the importance of Pranaym. Guest of Honour NASI past President Annette in her address spelled out the fact of how yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. She said, “the word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit language and means to join or unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. This year’s observance of the International Day of Yoga highlights the important role of healthy living and plays in the realization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted last year by all 193 United Nations Member states”.

Through her life experiences Annette shared how yoga helped her get back on her feet after a knee operation and cured her of cervical spondylitis. Principal of Mahatma Night Degree College of Arts and Commerce, Dr. Padma Rangan in her welcome address explained the significance of yoga as it embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. She said that yoga is not only about exercise but also a way of discovering a sense of oneness with yourself, world and nature. Dr. Padma Rangan,further went on to explain how yoga is practiced all over the world and is popular in Germany, China, Jakarta, Canada and the U.S.A. She happily stated that 175 nations, including U.S.A, Canada and China co-sponsored the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014 to declare 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. (Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere.) The call to declare 21 June as International Day of Yoga came from Hon’ble Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.

The second session of the programme saw students perform yoga as prescribed in the CYP – Common Yoga Protocol curriculum for the students of the University of Mumbai. Resource Person Annapoorna Patil demonstrated four pranayama routines and the students performed them after her. The students listened with rapt attention to her narration of life experiences and how yoga cured her of her various illnesses particularly breathing problems. In conclusion she stated that yoga was for everyone and can be practiced by people of all ages. If we practiced yoga thirty minutes a day we could keep all diseases at bay and lead a happy peaceful and healthy life.

Dr. Lata Krishnan thanked the students and Soroptimists for a wonderful evening of yoga. She urged them to learn yoga well and make it a way of life. She thanked Dr. K.M. Vasudevan Pillai, Chairman and CEO of Mahatma Education Society for all his support and encouragement.