NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in a mass yoga session in Banbasa as part of the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations, joining yoga practitioners, students, youth, women, senior citizens and personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).Extending greetings on International Yoga Day, Dhami described yoga as the foundation of a healthy and balanced life and urged people, particularly the youth, to make it a regular part of their daily routine.Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said it was a matter of pride for him to practise yoga with local residents on the banks of the Sharda River. He also thanked yoga instructors, practitioners and organisers for conducting the state-level programme.Dhami said yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but a way of life that helps create harmony between the mind, body and soul. He noted that yoga promotes mental stability and can help people lead balanced and healthy lives.Referring to growing concerns such as stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyles, the chief minister said yoga and pranayama can help improve concentration, strengthen immunity and promote positive energy.He also said yoga has connected people across the world and helped spread India’s cultural ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family) and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah (May all be happy, may all be healthy).Dhami said International Yoga Day had gained global recognition under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and noted that millions of people in more than 190 countries now participate in yoga-related activities.Highlighting Uttarakhand’s association with yoga, spirituality and meditation, he said the state government was working to promote Uttarakhand as a centre for yoga and wellness.The chief minister said Uttarakhand has implemented a Yoga Policy under which financial assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh is provided for setting up yoga and meditation centres. Grants of up to Rs 10 lakh are also available for research in yoga, meditation and naturopathy.He added that five new yoga hubs are being developed across the state and yoga services are being expanded at Ayush Health and Wellness Centres.Referring to the choice of Banbasa as the venue for the state-level event, Dhami said the aim was to promote yoga and spiritual activities along the banks of the Sharda River.He said the government was implementing the Sharda Corridor Project, which aims to develop religious and tourism destinations in the region, including the Sharda Riverfront stretch between Tanakpur and Banbasa. According to him, redevelopment work worth Rs 179 crore at Sharda Ghat has already begun under the first phase of the project.The chief minister also urged young people to stay away from substance abuse and adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. He said yoga should not be confined to a single day but should become part of everyday life.Several ministers, public representatives and senior government officials were present at the event.