From INS Virat To Highest Battle Feld Siachen, Armed Forces Join Yoga Day

21 June, New Delhi

Indian Navy’s personnel were the first ones to perform ‘Surya Namaskar’ on the front deck of their warships in the South China sea in the far east corner of the world, when first rays of Sun touched the planet earth, marking the beginning of the first International Day of Yoga.

Their bothers in arm in the Indian Army were not to be left behind, who rolled out yoga mats on ice capped peaks of Siachen Glacier, which is the highest battle field in the world.

Three services chief, namely, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan and Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag were present in the main function organized at Rajpath to celebrate the IYD.

Hundreds of naval sailors and officers performed yoga at the flight deck of INS Virat, India’s aircraft carrier, making it one of the most spectacular events of the Day.

Thousands of Indian Army soldiers performed yoga at various difficult locations in the forward areas along the border, including Siachen Glacier. In a rare show of nationalistic spirit, Army soldiers rolled out yoga mats at several battle fields, which had been associated with fierce fighting at some point of times in the past.

Yoga was also performed at Pengong Tso in Ladakh, a lake which is almost half in China and half in the Indian Territory. Many incidents of transgression by the Chinese army had been recorded in this area in the past.

Army soldiers also did ‘Suryanamaskar’ (Sun Salutation) at Siachen Glacier, Chorbat La in Drass and Kargil sector in the conditions of sub-zero degree temperatures.

Soldiers also performed yoga at the icy peaks of Tololing and Tiger Hill, which were captured by Pakistani intruders, before being thrown by the Indian Army after fierce fighting during 1999.Mashkoh Vally in Ladakh also witnessed yoga event, where Army soldiers performed various Asanas.