BJP leaders, NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind and residents around Bihar were not the only ones to observe International Day of Yoga on Wednesday, as students across the city also joined in for a session of "healthy body" and "healthy mind".
Among the institutes that observed Yoga Day were the Central University of South Bihar.
University officials, staff members and students joined in on a special one-and-a-half hour yoga session from 7 in the morning. Dean, students' welfare, Sanat Kumar Sharma who has a diploma in yoga from the Banaras Hindu University conducted the session as prescribed in the common yoga protocol of the International Day of Yoga structured by the Union ministry of Ayush.
The participants started off with a prayer in a meditative posture with namaskara mudra. Various asanas in standing, sitting postures, and supine positions were practised.
Free of stress
Students and faculty members of the Birla Institute of Technology, Patna, celebrated the third International Day of Yoga in the city under the guidance of yoga practitioners Swami Bimlanand, Sushma Rani Prasad and Swami Permanand.
Swami Bimlanand explained the need of yoga asana and yoga sadhana. "Yoga in today's life is important as it not only keeps the body fit but also keeps the mind fresh, relieving it from stress."
"Learning asanas from Swami Bimlanand was enriching," said Ankita Prasad, one of the students of B>T-Patna. "He described to us the correct postures for practising yoga.
"Yoga should not be confined to one day but everyone should practise the asanas daily to get rid of stress and other ailments," she added.
BIT-Patna director S.P. Lal, National Service Scheme coordinator of the institute, Shridhar Kumar, also attended the yoga camp.
Healthy life
The National Institute of Technology, Patna, observed Yoga Day on the sports ground on the campus with the entire community comprising students, staff members, faculty and residents from the nearby areas.
The event started at 6.30am.
Arijit Putatunda, student activity and sports officer, coordinated the event and emphasised on the importance of the International Yoga Day.
Prakash Chandra, dean, students' welfare, told the participants how yoga can help one achieve a healthy life.
Vijay Prakashji from Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, was the expert for the day and he briefly explained the role of yoga in daily life and today's work culture. He also spoke on the benefits of yoga such as weight loss, strong and flexible body and a peaceful mind.
Yoga instructor Ganesh Prasad demonstrated the various asanas and postures to be followed.
BTech student Nirmal Vijay Singh said: "Yoga is the gift of India, but people have never taken yoga seriously. In the last few years a lot of awareness has been created." At the end of the session, everybody present took a pledge to include yoga in their daily routines and also inspire others towards the same.
Daily asana
Patna University's National Service Scheme organised a yoga session at Patna Science College on Wednesday. Vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh inaugurated it.
"Yoga is important in today's life for better health and mind," he said, asking the students and teachers to involve yoga in their daily schedules. "Yoga should not be restricted to a day. Everyone should develop a habit to practise yoga daily."
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