Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday led the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations at the Eastern Air Command headquarters in Meghalaya, where he performed yoga alongside nearly 1,000 Indian Air Force and Army personnel before holding discussions with Prime Minister Conrad K. Sangma on a series of strategic infrastructure projects.
The group yoga session was attended by Sangma, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal IP Singh, Air Chief of Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia and General Officer Commanding 101 District Headquarters Lt. Gen. Mohit Wadhwa.
Singh described yoga as a “holistic science and art of living” that connects individuals to their inner selves, society, nature, and ultimately the divine. He said yoga provides “a path to inner stability, mental clarity and emotional resilience” and urged people to adopt the practice in their daily lives.
The Defense Minister said: “Make yoga an integral part of daily life to build a healthy body, a calm mind and a strong nation.”
In a post on X, Singh praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to turn yoga into a global movement, saying the ancient Indian practice symbolizes the strength of India’s traditions and contributes to the well-being of people around the world.
Sangma thanked the Prime Minister for his support for International Yoga Day and highlighted the role of yoga in improving physical fitness, flexibility and overall well-being, especially among youth.
On the sidelines of the programme, the Defense Minister raised several infrastructure projects that require support from the Ministry of Defence, including the proposed expansion of Shillong Airport and a four-lane corridor of the Shillong-Barrick Point Road corridor.
The main focus of the discussions was the proposed Ratachira-Ranikor road along the India-Bangladesh border, which the state government wants to declare as a strategic road. Sangma said the project will enhance border connectivity, facilitate movement of people and goods, and serve national security interests.
According to the Prime Minister, Singh responded positively to the proposal. “The Defense Minister responded positively to the proposal and assured us that the matter will be given due attention,” Sangma said.
He pointed out that connectivity from Ranikor to Dhalu has already been established in phases via NH-217, NH-127B and then via the Phulbari-Dhubri bridge corridor, while the Ratachira-Ranikor stretch remains the missing link.
Separately, Lok Bhavan celebrated International Yoga Day by hosting over 200 NCC students from institutions across Shillong. The programme, organized by the NCC Group Headquarters, Shillong, included a group yoga session under the Joint Yoga Protocol.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor HC Chaudhary lauded the enthusiastic participation of the cadets. Officials said the event reflects the growing youth awareness among the youth about healthy living, discipline and all-round development through yoga.
