Indian Army Forms ‘Bharatmala’ To Mark International Yoga Day

On the lines of the Indian Navy organising the "Ocean Ring of Yoga" event across the globe, the Indian Army too formed a 'Bharatmala' along the international borders of the country and abroad to commemorate the ninth International Day of Yoga (IDY) this year.

The formation 'Bharatmala' was created by conducting Yoga all along the border areas of the nation, ranging from the eastern extremity of Dong, where the first rays of the sun fall in India, to the sand dunes of Longewala in Rajasthan, where the epic battle was fought in 1971; from the glacial heights of Siachen to the southern tip of Kanyakumari and in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande attended the celebrations at the mass Yoga event organised at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt. The troops and defence civilians along with their families and children at all locations actively participated in yesterday's events. The local populace was also actively co-opted in the Yoga activities.

Continuing with the enhanced Indo-Africa partnership, outreach was also organised in African nations through Indian Army contingents deployed in United Nations (UN) Mission areas and in other training teams abroad.

Profoundly imbued to the Indian culture and ethos since ages, Yoga has found worldwide acceptance in its varied Avatars. The emancipating and healing effects of Yoga have been acknowledged by the scientific community as well.

The Indian Army has always been at the forefront in making Yoga protocols part of its daily schedule of activities, irrespective of the location of deployment of troops. As part of the national effort, the Indian Army has been regularly engaging local populace, particularly in the remote border areas to spread awareness as also to conduct workshops for proliferation of Yoga.

The Indian Navy too deployed its ships in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to form a ring to celebrate the day. The formation was christened as 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' that symbolises unity and solidarity. Indian naval ships visited various ports of friendly foreign countries spreading the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which is also the theme of IDY this year. Yoga sessions were held at most of these foreign ports visited by the ships.

In all, nearly 3,500 naval personnel onboard 19 Indian naval ships travelled for over 35,000 km so far as part of the Ocean Ring of Yoga event. This included over 2,400 personnel on 11 Indian naval ships at foreign ports, acting as ambassadors of Yoga. The day was celebrated onboard ships of several foreign navies in concert with India's overseas missions, involving over 1,200 foreign navy personnel.