Mangaluru: Hundreds gathered across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts Sunday for International Yoga Day celebrations.Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said International Yoga Day, which began in 2015, is a global honour for India’s cultural heritage and ancient lifestyle. He inaugurated and spoke at the event organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat and the Ayush department at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall.He said India has taught the world how to lead a healthy life and noted that the current global situation underscores the importance of yoga. MLA Vedavyas Kamath presided over the event. Deputy commissioner Darshan HV, district surgeon Dr DS Shivaprakash, assistant commissioner Meenakshi Arya, DCP (crime and traffic) Ravi Shankar K, ASP Anil Kumar, district Ayush officer Dr Manikarnika and Brahmakumari Ambika were present. The event concluded with a mass yoga session led by Yoga Guru Gopalakrishna Delampadi.Around 1,500 people, including students and govt officials, participated in celebrations at the deputy commissioner’s office complex in Padil.Capt Chowta also conducted a ‘Yoga with yodha’ programme at Sri Kshetra Karinjeshwara in Dakshina Kannada.National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, observed the 12th International Yoga Day under the theme ‘Yoga for healthy ageing’. The programme began with a welcome address by Prof Govinda Raj Mandela, dean (students’ welfare), followed by a yoga session led by yoga guru Raghavendra Rao.The New Mangalore Port Authority marked the day with participation from officers, employees, CISF personnel and stakeholders. The event was inaugurated by S Shanthi, deputy chairperson, NMPA.At Dharmasthala, MLC Prathap Simha Nayak inaugurated the celebrations. In Udupi, Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swami of Shiroor Mutt inaugurated a session organised by Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt in association with Patanjali Yogpeeth at Rajangana.
