The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) observed the 12th International Day of Yoga with a unique celebration on the Brahmaputra River, organising yoga sessions aboard vessels at several locations across Assam.
In Guwahati, officials, staff members and yoga enthusiasts gathered at Pandu and participated in sessions onboard the tugs MPT Sukhdev and HPT B.R. Ambedkar while cruising along National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra. Participants performed the Common Yoga Protocol as part of the nationwide observance.
Similar programmes were held at Jogighopa aboard WB Saffron, while yoga sessions were also conducted on WB Iris and WB Tansy at Bogibeel in Dibrugarh.
The initiative brought together IWAI personnel and local residents, showcasing the growing popularity of yoga as a way of life while drawing attention to the scenic and economic significance of India’s inland waterways.
Prabin Bora, Director (I/C), Regional Office Guwahati, IWAI, said yoga has become a global movement promoting health and wellness under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that, inspired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, IWAI was proud to commemorate the occasion in a manner that highlighted its role in developing and managing the country’s waterways.
According to Bora, conducting yoga sessions on vessels navigating the Brahmaputra symbolised the harmony between human well-being and nature and reinforced the vision of a healthy, sustainable and inclusive future.
Observed under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, this year’s celebrations highlighted the importance of yoga in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being and holistic living while reaffirming the traditional bond between India’s rivers and cultural practices.
