Hundreds Join 11th State-Level Yoga Festival in Dharamshala, Minister Goma Calls Yoga “More Important Than Food”

Dharamshala, June 21, 2025: On the occasion of International Yoga Day, the 11th State-Level Yoga Festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Sports Complex in Dharamshala. The event was a joint initiative of the State Government's Ayush Department and Youth Services and Sports Department. State Ayush, Youth Services and Sports Minister Shri Yadvinder Goma presided over the ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Goma highlighted the growing importance of yoga in today’s hectic and high-pressure lifestyle. “In this digital age, where people are plagued by mental and physical ailments, yoga offers a holistic path to health — without the need for medicine,” he said.

Striking a powerful note, he added, “We must give more importance to yoga than even food. It is not just exercise — it’s a way of life that fosters balance, self-discipline, and mental stability.”

The Minister emphasized that the Himachal Pradesh Government is taking concrete steps to promote yoga across the state. Special yoga camps are being held in all sub-divisional headquarters and educational institutions. Yoga guides, both male and female, have been deployed in Ayurvedic Wellness Centers and are now extending their services to schools to inculcate yogic education from an early age.

He further shared that around 215 yoga guides have been appointed in Ayush Health Wellness Centers across the district. These guides are actively conducting free yoga camps at the panchayat, ward, and school levels, aiming to take yoga to the grassroots. Special sessions are also being held to engage students and deepen their interest in yoga.

“The government envisions making yoga an integral part of the educational curriculum to ensure that future generations are physically fit, mentally alert, and emotionally resilient,” said Goma. He urged citizens to incorporate yoga into their daily routines for a healthier and more balanced life.

This programme saw the participation of several dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Indora MLA Malinder Rajan, Deputy Commissioner Kangra Hemraj Bairwa, ADM Kangra Shilpi Vekta, Bull Federation President Manoj Thakur, Dharamshala Mayor Neenu Sharma, HRTC Vice President Ajay Verma, and Ayush Department Director Rohit Jambal.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from hundreds of school students, NSS volunteers, yoga instructors, local residents, and officials. They came together to perform yoga and spread the message of “Yoga Se Nirog” — a call for disease-free living through yoga.