More than 300 volunteers, officers, and staff joined the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations organized on the serene lawns of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) headquarters in New Delhi. The session was led by UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar, who along with UPSC Members Shri Sanjay Verma, Ms. Anuradha Prasad, Shri Bidyut Behari Swain, and Secretary Shri Shashi Ranjan Kumar, performed Yoga to mark the occasion.

In his motivational address, Dr. Ajay Kumar described Yoga as “an integral part of a healthy body and mind”, encouraging everyone to make it a part of daily life. He praised the participants, calling them “winners” for embracing Yoga – India’s invaluable gift to the world, deeply rooted in the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family.

Reflecting on his personal experience, Dr. Kumar shared, “As a marathon runner, I often run for an hour or more which exhausts me. But one hour of Yoga rejuvenates both body and mind—it brings a resurgence of energy and clarity. Yoga has been life-changing.”

He emphasized that Yoga is not just physical activity, but a holistic tool to counter lifestyle and metabolic disorders such as high blood pressure, arthritis, and stress-related ailments, especially important as we age. With regular and consistent practice, he said, Yoga can be a powerful preventive and healing practice for modern-day challenges.

Highlighting the global recognition of Yoga, Dr. Kumar recalled the transformative efforts of Prime Minister in 2014, when he proposed June 21 to be celebrated as International Yoga Day at the United Nations General Assembly—a proposal that received overwhelming support and marked a paradigm shift in how Yoga was perceived globally. He noted that while Yoga, which originated in India, was being forgotten in its homeland, it was being warmly embraced and practiced across the world. “It is time we reclaim and celebrate our own heritage with pride,” he remarked.

He urged that International Yoga Day should not be the end but the beginning of a journey towards health, self-discipline, and inner positivity. The goal is not a one-day celebration, but daily transformation.

The event concluded with a thought-provoking lecture by Ms. Indu Sharma, Assistant Professor at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, on the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, echoing the spirit of harmony between humanity and nature.

*****

NKR/PSM

Integral Press Release