PANAJI
Governor of Goa P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Saturday led a yoga session at the Old Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan to mark the 11th International Yoga Day. The officials and staff members of Raj Bhavan Goa performed yoga at Raj Bhavan.
Sanjeev Gauns Desai, Secretary to the Governor also participated in yoga session.
The International Yoga Day is being celebrated every year across the globe on June 21 since last 11 years to create awareness about its vast potential in improving overall health and well-being. It also promotes the practice of yoga for physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing worldwide.
The participants of yoga were guided by Dhananjay Patil an experienced yoga instructor attached to Tapobhumi, Kundaim.
At Old Goa
PANAJI: “Yoga, as we know, is far more than physical exercise. It is a spiritual and philosophical journey—a union of body, mind, and soul. In these times of uncertainty and rapid change, yoga offers us a way to reconnect with ourselves, to find calm amidst chaos, and to nurture compassion—for ourselves and for others”, stated Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik.
He was speaking infornt of large gethering consists of Yoga enthusiasts from different walks of life, at the 11th International Yoga Day held at Lawns of Churches and Convent of Old Goa, one of the 189 iconic tourist location chosen across India for this grand celebration. This event was successfully organized by AYUSH Ministry, Tourism Ministry and Indian Archiological Survey.
“The theme for this year's International Yoga Day, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health", reflects the global aspiration for unity, peace, and inner strength in the face of today’s challenges—be it stress, poor health, or the fast-paced nature of modern life”, Naik said.
At Selaulim Dam
PANAJI: As monsoon clouds hovered above, the serene waters of the Selaulim Dam in Sanguem resonated with the calming chants of yoga, creating a scenic atmosphere for the celebration of International Day of Yoga.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Goa, in collaboration with the South Goa District Administration and District Police, organised the Yoga Sangam event on Saturday, as part of the nationwide celebration of Yoga Day.
Yoga enthusiasts, officials from the district administration and police, CBC representatives, and students from nearby educational institutions participated in the event.
Certified instructors from the Art of Living Foundation led a mass demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol. The gathering, attended by around 300 people, was one of the signature events under the International Day of Yoga (IDY) programs across the country.
Addressing the audience, District Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, acknowledged the dedication and support of the officials and staff involved in making the event a success.
She encouraged participants to incorporate yoga into their daily lives. South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma, IPS, and Riyas Babu, Publicity Officer, CBC Goa, were also present at the occasion.
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At Santa Cruz (with pic)
PANAJI: On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, the Urban Health and Training Centre (UHTC) at St Cruz joined the nationwide ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative on Saturday to promote the message of health and well-being through yoga.
Speaking at the event, Dr Amit Dias, Assistant Professor and In-Charge of the Centre, emphasised that the true benefits of yoga can only be realised through regular daily practice. Residents and medical interns at the Centre demonstrated a series of simple yet effective yoga postures to patients and attendees in the OPD.
The concept of a “Y-Break at Work” was introduced — short yoga routines that can be done in office settings to reduce stress and improve posture. Participants were also trained in Chair Yoga, making yoga more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
The interactive session concluded with an engaging quiz on yoga and health, which saw active participation from both staff and patients. The event was seamlessly coordinated by Dr Durgesh Sawant, with Anshu Naik as the compère.
At Chorao
PANAJI: The NSS Unit of Raghuvir and Premavati Salkar Higher Secondary School, Chorao, celebrated International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm on Saturday. The event saw active participation from students, teachers, and various dignitaries and staff from government departments. The celebration commenced with a welcome address by the Principal Sandeep Sawal. A series of yoga asanas were performed under the expert guidance of NSS Programme Officer Jaganath Ghatwal, highlighting the importance of yoga in achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Present at the occasion were the Sarpanch of Chodan-Madel Village Panchayat, Silvano Pereira, along with other panchayat members. Staff members from the Sports Authority of Goa, Police Department (TEC), Office of the Deputy Collector and SDO, Directorate of Panchayats, Directorate of Skill Development, Directorate of Education, Civil Registration-cum-Sub Registrar Office, and Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs) also took part in the event. Local villagers from Chorao joined the celebrations, adding to the community spirit of the programme.
In his address, Sarpanch Silvano Pereira emphasized the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for holistic development and urged students to adopt yoga for a healthier future. The programme was compered by teacher Luiza Pereira, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Jaganath Ghatwal.
At Margao
PANAJI: Manovikas English Medium School proudly joined the global celebration on the eve of the 11th International Day of Yoga under the guiding theme: ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health.’ The event held on Friday brought together students and staff in a vibrant display of unity, wellness, and environmental consciousness.
The celebration began with the serene chanting of the Shanti Mantra, followed by a graceful sequence of yoga asanas that reflected the participants’ deep commitment to holistic well-being. Highlights of the event included a dynamic Yoga Dance performance, live demonstrations of key asanas, and a short educational film that explored the significance of yoga in today’s world.
The occasion left a lasting impact on attendees, who departed feeling invigorated and better equipped to embrace academic and personal challenges. The event was thoughtfully organised by the school's Physical Education Department, underscoring the institution’s dedication to promoting healthy lifestyles through mindful practices.
At Korgao
PANAJI: Sant Xavier Vidyalaya at Korgao celebrated the 11th International Yoga Day with enthusiasm on Saturday, marking the occasion with the theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ and emphasising that personal wellness and planetary health are inseparably linked.
The Yoga preparation for morning assemblies almost lasted for three weeks in the school. The final celebration was participation of headmistress, faculty, and students from the school.
The event commenced with warm-up exercises, and all participants, including faculty members performed various sitting and standing asanas such as Shavasana, Vajrasana, Trikonasana, Surya Namaskar, Chakraasan and meditation.
Throughout the session, the importance of each asana was explained in detail. Faculty members were taught how to incorporate yoga into their daily lives to maintain harmony between the body and mind.
The session lasted for over an hour, with active participation. The event showcased the enthusiastic engagement of all attendees.
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At IPSCDL HQ (with pic)
PANAJI: Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL) celebrated International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm at its headquarters on Saturday. The yoga session was attended by the MD & CEO, Sandip Jacques, IAS, along with Brijesh Manerkar (Director - municipal administration), IPSCDL team and staff members. The session was conducted by Sheela Kankonkar, Principal Yoga Teacher from Patanjali Yoga Samiti. The instructor led a meaningful and rejuvenating session focused on breathing techniques, stretching and mindfulness—reinforcing the importance of integrating yoga into daily life for physical and mental well-being.
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At Vasco (with pic)
PANAJI: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) observed the International Day of Yoga 2025 with spirited participation and a reaffirmed commitment to holistic well-being. The event, held at the Badminton Court, GSL Officers’ Enclave, Chicalim, Vasco-da-Gama, was themed around this year’s global message: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which inspired the day’s proceedings.
A large number of employees, CISF personnel, local civilians, and their family members participated in the early morning session, which was conducted by certified yoga instructors. The programme also featured a live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s address. Attendees engaged in a structured sequence of yogasanas, pranayama, and guided meditation, all aimed at fostering physical vitality, mental clarity, and environmental harmony.
In addition to the practice sessions, the event included insightful talks on lifestyle disorders and stress management, reinforcing the vital principle that a balanced mind and body are foundational to a resilient and productive workforce.
