There were novices and experts. Some had practised the Common Yoga Protocol for the past two months while others had heard about it just a couple of days ago. But everyone was excited about doing yogasana on International Day of Yoga on June 21. The crowds were huge in different parts of Howrah where people came to take part in this international event.
Space became a constraint at the Indian Research Institute for Integrated Medicine (IRIIM) at Mourigram, where people had gathered from 7am. The numbers went up to 350 and the programme had to be conducted in three groups. “The first two groups performed the Common Yoga Protocol from 7am, but we had to take a third group from 7.30 am again,” said Dr Debasish Bakshi, the honorary director of IRIIM. While some could perform with ease, others, many of whom were first-timers, found it difficult to do some of the asanas.
Sangeeta Naskar, a resident of Andul, had come to IRIIM early in the morning. She had started practising the protocol just a week before. “I have not mastered all the asanas. My body is still stiff and I cannot bend properly,” she laughed.
At a discussion on the protocol held at the institute in the afternoon, trainers and participants talked about the steps. “The protocol gives a general awareness about yoga. The first prerequisite for performing the protocol is that one must be physically fit, otherwise he or she will not be able to go through the entire thing,” said Bakshi. A seminar on yoga and health was organised in the evening where Ajay Ray, the director of IIEST, Swami Hariharananda, the registrar of Ramakrishna Vivekananda University, Bhabani Das, the chief medical officer of health (CMOH), Howrah and Sankar Sanyal, the chairman of Howrah Chamber of Commerce were present. While everyone discussed the importance of yoga in daily life, Ray announced that a yoga research centre would soon start at IIEST in collaboration with IRIIM.
The gathering was equally large at Shankar Math in Ramrajatala which was the main camp for Patanjali Yoga Samity, Howrah. Other than Shankar Math, the samity had organised camps at six other places across Howrah district where people took part in the 36-minute Common Yoga Protocol. The programme was open to all. “The sessions were conducted across Howrah district and more than 2,000 people took part in it. Our instructors demonstrated the Common Yoga Protocol and everyone followed,” said Abhishek, one of the instructors at Shankar Math camp. Cultural programmes and discussions on yoga followed later at Shankar Math.
Sultan Singh, the MLA of Bally, became yoga instructor on International Day of Yoga. At Agrasain Balika Siksha Sadan, Singh demonstrated asanas on the stage while students sitting in the audience followed. Although he did not demonstrate the asanas of the Common Yoga Protocol, the aim was to create awareness about yoga among the students. “Yoga not only helps to keep the body fit, but also liberates the mind,” said Singh.
BC Roy Memorial Yoga Centre at Belepole organised a yoga session on the morning of June 21 at the Nabanaritala temple premises in Baksara. More than 300 children and adults took part where instructor Alok Chattopadhyay demonstrated the Common Yoga Protocol. In the afternoon, there was a walk from Belepole to Baksara Bazaar and then on to Nabanaritala temple.
