Participating in the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations in Leh, Ladakh, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan urged citizens to embrace yoga for a healthier and more peaceful society. He highlighted yoga as India’s ancient gift to humanity, going beyond physical exercise to nurture the body, calm the mind, and elevate the soul.
Radhakrishnan praised the global recognition of yoga, attributing it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. He emphasized this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing,’ stressing the importance of yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being, and active ageing, especially in the context of India’s ageing population.
Acknowledging the unique challenges of life at high altitudes, Radhakrishnan noted that yoga helps cultivate qualities like endurance, discipline, and adaptability. He commended the people of Ladakh for embodying resilience, simplicity, and harmony with nature, values that align with the principles of yoga and contribute to healthy living.
Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Lok Sabha MP Mohmad Haneefa were among the dignitaries present at the event, which also included leaders, civil and military officials, yoga practitioners, students, and members of the local community. Earlier in the day, Radhakrishnan visited the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Devachan Campus in Leh, appreciating its contributions to education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of yoga and meditation in Ladakh.
