The 12th International Yoga Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across Kalaburagi and Bidar districts on Sunday, with participants highlighting the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for physical and mental well-being.

In Kalaburagi, the district-level programme was organised at Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium by the district administration, the Zilla Panchayat and the Department of AYUSH under the theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”.

Inaugurating the event, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff urged people not to restrict Yoga to a single-day celebration but to practise it regularly and imbibe its values in everyday life.

Mr. Shariff said that he has been practising Yoga for the past seven years and has made Surya Namaskar an integral part of his daily routine.

Yoga helps individuals cope with work pressure and anxiety while enhancing mental strength, self-confidence, patience and positive thinking, he said.

Police Commissioner Sharanappa S.D. said that Yoga has gained global recognition because of its proven benefits for physical and mental health. Practising yoga for even 30-45 minutes a day can significantly improve overall well-being, he said.

More than 1,000 people, including government officials, employees, students, members of Yoga organisations and AYUSH college students, participated in the programme.

A Yoga etiquette booklet was released on the occasion.

In Bidar, the celebrations were held amid the historic surroundings of Bidar Fort, where hundreds of participants performed Yoga exercises and took part in meditation sessions.

Inaugurating the programme, Bidar South MLA Shailendra Beldale said that it is a matter of pride that Yoga, once practised primarily in India, has now been embraced across the world.

He said that modern lifestyles have made people increasingly dependent on mobile phones and the Internet, making it all the more important to devote at least 30 minutes every day to Yoga and meditation to maintain physical fitness, mental health and concentration.

Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma said that regular Yoga practice helps people perform their duties with greater energy and enthusiasm. Although Yoga has existed since the ancient times, it has not received adequate attention in the past, she said and urged citizens to accord greater importance to the discipline.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Girish Badole, City Corporation Commissioner Mukul Jain, District AYUSH Officer Khuteja Begum, officials, students and members of various organisations took part in the event.