Port Blair, June 21: Sadhguru, Founder, Isha Foundation and yoga instructors from Isha Hatha Yoga School, Coimbatore led the main event of the 5th International Yoga Day celebrations organised by Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC) on board the first indigenously built Floating Dock of the Indian Navy (FDN-2) today. The yoga session was attended by Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, ADC, Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) and personnel and families of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard posted at this first Joint-Services Operational Command of the country. Simultaneously, yoga sessions were also conducted at other venues across units of ANC, which saw participation of maximum personnel and their families.

Earlier, Sadhguru arrived at the venue along with the First Lady of the Union Territory of Andaman Nicobar Islands, Mrs. Chitra Joshi and President Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), Mrs Seema Verma.

Later during the day, Sadhguru interacted with the soldiers and their families in a function held at Dweepika Auditorium in Haddo, Port Blair and gave them tips on using yoga to transform their lives. ANC has around 3200 voluntary organ donors, out of which a few were felicitated by Sadhguru during the function. Speaking on the occasion, Sadhguru said, “Yoga is not a tradition of the past but a solution for the future. Our soldiers, here in Andaman and Nicobar, miles away from their families and the mainland, are putting their lives at stake to protect the nation. Our activities & achievements rest upon the sacrifices of these brave soldiers. It is of utmost importance to equip them with the yogic tools of transformation for inner well being.”  Vice Admiral Bimal Verma thanked Sadhguru and the members of Isha Foundation for enriching the lives of soldiers at Andaman & Nicobar Command. 

This is the first time that ANC joined hands with Isha Foundation to conduct yoga sessions and other programs during International Day of Yoga. Isha Foundation, on the other hand, has been conducting “Yoga for Soldiers” as part of its International Day of Yoga celebrations since 2018, when it conducted yoga sessions at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield. ANC organised yoga sessions at four locations on 20th and 21st June, 2019 to mark the 5th International Day of Yoga.