JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, KOHIMA:

The International Day of Yoga 2025 was observed at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Kohima, under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The event was organised by the Kohima District Administration in collaboration with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, SANKALP – District Hub for Empowerment of Women, and SAKHI – One Stop Centre, Kohima.

The celebration witnessed participation from school students, teachers, district officials, and representatives from various departments, coming together to reaffirm the importance of holistic well-being through yoga.

Welcoming the gathering, Principal Mahesh Prasad Shivjare expressed joy and pride in hosting the International Yoga Day celebration at the school. “Yoga is not just about physical exercise,” he said, “It is a journey inward—a way to discover balance and harmony within ourselves, with others, and with nature.” He urged students to embrace yoga not only as a daily practice but as a way of life that nurtures inner peace and clarity of mind.

Addressing the participants, EAC (Probationer) L. Yantsothung Lotha highlighted the global significance of yoga and its origins from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to join” or “to unite.” He emphasised that yoga promotes not only physical and mental health but also contributes to larger global goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Yoga has the power to reduce physical inactivity, improve emotional well-being, and support sustainable lifestyles,” he said.

He recalled that the proposal to observe June 21 as International Day of Yoga was initiated by India and adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The first global observance took place in 2015, with a historic mass yoga session in New Delhi.

Referring to this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Family, One Future,” Lotha noted that the message resonates with India’s G20 Presidency theme and reflects the enduring Indian philosophy of harmony, coexistence, and responsibility toward one another and the planet.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the UN General Assembly, Lotha said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. It is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and with nature.”

The event concluded with a collective yoga session led by instructors, as participants engaged in various asanas with mindfulness and enthusiasm.

(Molungnenla, IA Kohima)