PAKYONG, (IPR): Governor Om Prakash Mathur officiated the inaugural ceremony of
8th National Seminar on ‘Yoga and Naturopathy’ at the community hall in Rongli
today.
The
seminar, themed ‘Holistic Health’, was organised by the Holistic Health and
Research Centre (HHRC) of Sikkim.
The
Governor was accompanied by Puran Kr Gurung, Minister for Agriculture,
Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and Fisheries
Development departments, along with Prabha Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong
District; Rohan Agawane, District Collector of Pakyong; and Dhan Maya Subba,
Superintendent of Police, Pakyong.
Addressing
the gathering, the Governor underscored the significance of the centre and
noted that the regular practice of yoga substantially contributes to the
well-being of individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. He
acknowledged India's rich heritage in yoga, its global recognition through the
observance of International Yoga Day, and its positive impact on health.
Reaffirming the Prime Minister's vision for a developed India by 2047, he
emphasised the paramount importance of progress in both the economic and health
sectors.
The
Governor highlighted various State initiatives aimed at enhancing public
well-being and described the seminar as a forum for the exchange of knowledge.
He suggested that a synthesis of modern medicine with traditional practices
could lead to improved healthcare outcomes.
During
the seminar, minister Puran Gurung commended the awardees for their
accomplishments and emphasised the importance of organic farming, particularly
its contributions to sustainable development and public health. While
addressing students, he encouraged them to draw inspiration from the awardees,
make contributions to society, and consider civil service as a career path.
He
also emphasised the benefits of yoga and naturopathy, asserting their roles in
natural healing, stress alleviation, and overall wellness.
Dr
Arun Kumar Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer and principal director of HHRC,
delivered the keynote address, outlining the seminar's objective to explore
health and social dimensions, strengthen networking, connect experts and
policymakers, identify personal strengths and weaknesses, educate students, and
promote youth participation and knowledge-sharing on a common platform.
Additionally,
he indicated that the HHRC has been actively involved in the community,
promoting natural healing and overall well-being. He described these practices
as vital for maintaining physical and mental health, emphasising their role in
restoring equilibrium and averting illnesses.
Further,
he urged participants to engage with experts for yoga guidance and to integrate
these practices into their daily routines for sustained health benefits.
A
demonstration of asanas was
conducted, illustrating the precautions, steps, and benefits associated with
each posture.
The
event also included a book release and an award ceremony, during which winners
of the speech competition, article competition, and yoga ballet competition
were acknowledged for their successes.
Additionally,
a felicitation ceremony was organised to honour individuals who have
significantly contributed to the promotion of holistic health:
• Holistic Chakra Award: Tenzing Loden Lepcha,
Senior Superintendent of Police, Gangtok.
•
Pride of Society Award: Puran Kr Gurung, Minister for Agriculture,
Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and Fisheries departments,
and MLA of Chujachen.
• Holistic Visionary Award: Arun Gurung, DGM,
SABCCO.
• Honour of Excellence Award: DSP Santosh Baniya, ADC to the Governor of Sikkim and Mamta Awasthi, PRO to Governor.
Members
of the All Sikkim Ex-Servicemen Association were also honoured for their
contributions.
Present
at the event were zilla members, panchayat members, department heads from
various district offices, self-help group members, and the general public.
