Extending his greetings to the people of the state on International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister described yoga as the foundation of a healthy and balanced life.
On the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a mass yoga session along with a large number of yoga practitioners, personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), students, youth, women, and senior citizens at the state-level event organized in Banbasa.Extending his greetings to the people of the state on International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister described yoga as the foundation of a healthy and balanced life. The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of immense joy and pride for him to have the opportunity to practice yoga with local residents on the sacred land of Maa Sharda. He expressed gratitude to all yoga instructors, practitioners, and organizers for their contribution to the successful conduct of the event. He stated that yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but a way of life that establishes harmony between the mind, body, and soul. Yoga provides mental stability and guides individuals towards a positive, balanced, and successful life.The Chief Minister observed that in today’s world, where stress, depression, and unhealthy lifestyles pose significant challenges, yoga serves as an effective natural healing system. Regular practice of yoga and pranayama strengthens immunity, enhances mental concentration, and promotes positive energy in life. He further noted that yoga has united humanity across the globe and has helped establish the Indian 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) on the global stage. He added that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, International Yoga Day has gained worldwide recognition, and today millions of people in more than 190 countries are connected with yoga.The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand is a land of ancient traditions of yoga, spirituality, and meditation. The state government is working with a commitment to establish Uttarakhand as a global hub for yoga and wellness. He informed that the state has implemented the country’s first Yoga Policy, under which subsidies of up to ₹20 lakh are provided for establishing yoga and meditation centers, while grants of up to ₹10 lakh are available to encourage research and studies in yoga, meditation, and naturopathy. In addition, five new yoga hubs are being developed across the state, and yoga services are being ensured at all Ayush Health and Wellness Centres.He stated that the objective of organizing the state-level Yoga Day event in Banbasa was to promote yoga and spiritual practices along the banks of the Sharda River. The government is also working through the Sharda Corridor Project to provide the region with a new identity in spiritual and tourism development. Under this project, being developed at an estimated cost of ₹3,300 crore, various religious and tourist destinations, including the Sharda Riverfront from Tanakpur to Banbasa, are being developed. In the first phase, redevelopment works of Sharda Ghat worth ₹179 crore have already been launched.The Chief Minister made a special appeal to the youth to not limit yoga to a single day but to make it an integral part of their daily lives. He urged them to stay away from social evils such as substance abuse and adopt a healthy, disciplined, and positive lifestyle. He expressed confidence that the people of Uttarakhand would actively contribute towards realizing the vision of making the state a global center of yoga. Among those present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister and District In-Charge Minister Bharat Chaudhary, District Panchayat Chairman Anand Singh Adhikari, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, Ayush Secretary Ranjana Rajguru, Kumaon IG Nivedita Kukreti, Champawat District Magistrate Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Rekha Yadav, Udham Singh Nagar District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati, Chie
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to review the Combined Graduation Parade of Flight Cadets at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, on June 13, 2026. The ceremony marks the successful completion of pre-commissioning training for cadets of various branches of the Indian Air Force. | Ramakrishna Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (June 13, 2026), June 13 said the growing participation of women was making the Indian Air Force (IAF) more balanced and robust, as the service marked a historic milestone with the commissioning of the first batch of women officers from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, during the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of the 217th Course at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, near Hyderabad.“With the increase of women’s strength, our Air Force is becoming more balanced and stronger. This reflects the strength of our inclusive force,” Mr. Singh said after reviewing the parade. The women cadets, who had passed out from the NDA on May 30, 2025, underwent branch-specific training at the Air Force Academy before being commissioned. The occasion marked the first time in the history of the IAF that women cadets from the NDA graduated from the academy as officers. A total of five women officers were awarded wings, of whom two will join the fighter stream while the remaining three will join the maintenance and ground duty branches.A total of 231 flight cadets graduated after completing their pre-commissioning training across various branches of the IAF. The graduating batch comprised 194 men and 37 women. Wings were also awarded to nine officers of the Indian Navy, three officers of the Indian Coast Guard and two trainees from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on successful completion of flying training, while three officers received brevets after completing their navigation training.During the ceremony, the graduating trainees were conferred the President’s Commission. The Defence Minister presented the President’s Plaque to cadets who secured first position in the overall order of merit in the Flying Branch, Navigation stream and Ground Duty branches.Flying Officer Ashish Kumar Yadav was awarded the coveted President’s Plaque and the Nawanagar Sword of Honour for standing first in the overall order of merit in the Pilot Course. Flying Officer Ekta Gupta received the President’s Plaque for securing first position in the Navigation stream, while Flying Officer Divyanshi Singh was awarded the President’s Plaque for topping the Ground Duty branches.Addressing the newly commissioned officers, Mr. Singh congratulated the cadets and said they were becoming part of a proud legacy built over decades by the Indian Air Force. He said that while they might be experiencing a sense of satisfaction and excitement after completing their training, their actual journey had only just begun.Referring to Operation Sindoor, Mr. Singh said the Indian Air Force had demonstrated its capability to destroy enemy infrastructure with accuracy and precision. He said the force’s achievements had been made possible by indigenous platforms, a strong organisational structure and the contribution of dedicated personnel, and expressed confidence that the Air Force would continue to play a similar role in the future.The Defence Minister said the nature of warfare was undergoing rapid transformation and modern conflicts were increasingly being shaped by technology. Unlike conventional wars, present-day conflicts often unfolded without direct engagement between soldiers or clearly defined battlefields, he observed.Calling upon the young officers to understand evolving threats and recalibrate their responses, Mr. Singh said they must remain open to change. “You have to adapt, adopt, and, if necessary, amend. You have to innovate and get an edge in every aspect,” he said.The ceremony commenced with displays by the Akash Ganga skydiving team and the Air Warrior Drill Team, showcasing precision and synchronisation.
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