YSS’s week-long Yoga fest culminates, thousands participate

Srinagar, Jun 21: Marking the culmination of a week-long celebration of wellness and mindfulness, the Department of Youth Services & Sports (YSS), J&K, on Saturday held a series of grand yoga events across the Union Territory to commemorate International Yoga Day (IYD).

As per a statement, thousands of trained students, youth, and departmental employees took part in the mega events, showcasing the widespread embrace of yoga as a tool for physical and mental well-being.

As the premier department responsible for organising sports, recreational and wellness activities for students up to 12th grade and youth in general, the YS&S Department conducts year-round events, including school, zonal, district, divisional, and UT-level competitions in dozens of sports. Yoga remains an integral part of the department’s annual calendar, with dedicated training for students of different age groups to participate in yoga competitions.

Leading up to International Yoga Day, the Department of YS&S organised pre-yoga day events in all sports zones of J&K, fostering awareness about the importance, relevance, and benefits of yoga.

Hundreds of officials and students from the department also participated in the important functions held at SKICC, Srinagar, and Gulshan Ground, Jammu, joining the global celebration of yoga.

Meanwhile, at Khel Gaon Nagrota, Jammu, a mega yoga programme was organised by the YS&S Department where Director General of YS&S, Anuradha Gupta, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Addressing the young participants, she emphasised, “Parents often leave behind material possessions like cars, houses, and land for their children, who feel happy receiving them. However, the greatest legacy we, as Indians, have inherited from our ancestors is the gift of Yoga, a timeless solution to stress, mental fatigue, and modern lifestyle diseases. Yoga creates harmony between the mind, body, and soul, elevating us spiritually as well.”

The event was attended by Joint Director YS&S Jammu, Dr Vinakshi Koul, Deputy Director Central, Deputy Director Planning, District Youth Services & Sports Officer Jammu, Accounts Officer, and other officials from the Directorate of YS&S.

In addition to the UT-level events, the Department of YS&S organised colourful yoga programmes at various district and zonal headquarters, where field officers led sessions promoting yoga’s holistic benefits among students and the public.