Mysuru: Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said yoga is not merely an exercise or a philosophy but a powerful soft power of India that can help the nation establish a leading position on the global stage.
He was speaking during the ‘Yoga Maha Sankalp Divas’ organised by the Yoga Federation of Mysuru (YFM) at the Mysuru Palace premises on Sunday as part of preparations for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY), which will be observed on June 21.
Commitment for successful Yoga Day celebrations
Yaduveer Wadiyar participated in a special ‘Sankalpa’ ceremony, pledging support for the successful conduct of International Day of Yoga celebrations in Mysuru. He inaugurated the programme by offering floral tributes to an idol of Patanjali and later released the official poster for the event.
The Yoga Federation of Mysuru has set an ambitious target of involving at least two lakh participants across 120 major centres in the city during the celebrations on June 21.
The Maha Sankalp Divas was organised as a follow-up to the earlier Sankalp Divas held at Vijaya Vittala Vidyashala. Additional preparatory programmes are scheduled to be conducted on June 7 and June 14 ahead of the main event.
Mysuru’s historic role in promoting yoga
Addressing the gathering, Yaduveer Wadiyar highlighted Mysuru’s long-standing contribution to the promotion and propagation of yoga.
He said the city has played a significant role in preserving and spreading the ancient Indian practice and will continue to contribute to its growth in the future.
According to him, the contributions of former Mysuru rulers including Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar towards yoga are well documented. He added that research is also being undertaken to highlight the role played by earlier Wadiyar kings in promoting yoga and preserving traditional knowledge.
“These contributions are being researched and documented to make Mysureans proud of their heritage,” he said.
Massive participation planned across city
As part of preparations for the International Day of Yoga, trainers from various yoga organisations across Mysuru rehearsed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), a standardised 45-minute programme designed for participants of all age groups and fitness levels.
The protocol includes prayers, loosening exercises, yoga postures, pranayama techniques and meditation, enabling people to practise together in a structured manner.
The official theme for the 12th International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for Wellness, Wisdom, and World Peace.”
The Yoga Federation of Mysuru comprises several organisations, including Sri Pathanjali Yoga Shikshana Samsthe, Bharat Swabhiman Trust, Mysuru Yoga Okoota, Yoga Sports Foundation, Mysuru Yoga Association, GSS Yoga and other yoga groups.
Hope of inviting Prime Minister Modi again
Founder of GSS Yoga Foundation and President of YFM, Srihari Dwarkanath expressed optimism about inviting Narendra Modi to Mysuru once again as part of the city’s ‘Fit Mysuru’ campaign.
He recalled that Mysuru entered the Guinness World Records in 2017 by hosting the world’s largest yoga session at a single venue, with 55,506 participants at the Mysuru Race Course.
Dwarkanath also noted that Prime Minister Modi participated in the International Day of Yoga celebrations held at the Mysuru Palace premises in 2022.
He said Mysuru has consistently received strong public support since the first International Day of Yoga celebrations in 2015 and expressed confidence that the city could once again host a landmark event in the future.
Organisations extend support
Several educational and social organisations have extended support to the upcoming yoga celebrations, including associations representing CBSE, ICSE and State Board private schools, JSS institutions, Brahma Kumaris and various community groups.
Representatives from participating organisations, including Bharat Swabhiman Trust, Sri Pathanjali Yoga Shikshana Samsthe, Yoga Sports Foundation, Yoga Okkuta and Mysuru Yoga Association, were present during the programme.
With preparations gaining momentum, organisers are aiming to make the 12th International Day of Yoga one of the largest and most impactful celebrations held in Mysuru.