Vinod Bhat
On the occasion of 11th International Day of Yoga, Indian Railways organised grand and spirited yoga sessions across the country. Aligned with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, celebrations were conducted across all Railway zones, divisions, stations, and Railway premises across India.
Union Ministers of State for Railways, Shri V. Somanna and Shri Ravneet Singh, participated in the yoga sessions held at Hassan, Karnataka and Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh respectively. Chairman and CEO, Railway Board, Shri Satish Kumar, also took part in the yoga session organised at Karnail Singh Stadium, New Delhi.
What made this year’s observance exceptional was the conduct of yoga sessions not only at stations and office complexes, but also atop Indian Railways’ iconic engineering marvels. For the first time, a yoga session was conducted on the world’s highest Railway arch bridge – Chenab Bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir symbolizing Indian Railways’ confidence and engineering capabilities. Yoga sessions were held on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge – Anji Khad Bridge, and the country’s first vertical-lift rail bridge – Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu, showcasing a unique blend of yoga and engineering excellence.
A special EMU train dedicated to yoga was operated by the Howrah Division in West Bengal, featuring illustrations of various Yoga Mudras along with their health benefits.
Across various regions, enthusiastic participation was witnessed from Railway officers, staff, Railway Protection Force personnel, scouts and guides, school students, public representatives, and members of the general public. The sessions included asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and awareness activities focused on the holistic benefits of yoga.
Through this nationwide initiative, Indian Railways not only encouraged its workforce to embrace a healthy lifestyle but also played a key role in spreading awareness about the transformative benefits of yoga among the larger public.
