The International Day of Yoga celebration saw over 100 participantsfrom Kendriya Sainik Board, Department of Ex-ServicemenWelfare (Ministry of Defence) and Ola Sainiks

  Ola, India’s leading and one of the world’s largest ride-sharing companies today, joined hands with Kendriya Sainik Board, Department of ex-servicemen welfare, (Ministry of Defence)to celebrate International Day of Yoga at Sainik rest house, Naraina, New Delhito promote good health through the art of yoga.The event saw participation from more than 100officials of Kendriya Sainik Board along with ex-servicemen from Delhi-NCR. Ola employees along with Ola Sainiks and driver partners also attended the event. International Day of Yoga is marked across the world in 175 countries with the aim of promoting the health of the country.   Speaking at the International Yoga Day, Brig. Mrigendra Kumar, SM, Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, Ministry of Defence, said,“In today’s stressful environment, it is important to have a healthy mind and a healthy body. Therefore, International Day of Yoga is an apt reminder for us to ensure that we focus on rejuvenating our mindsand souls. Kendriya SainikBoard is promoting healthy bodies and healthy minds by celebrating International Yoga Day across the country through various Rajya Sainik Boards (RSB) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB). In Delhi, we are happy to partner with Ola to celebrate International Day of Yoga. I thank Ola for its support and hope that such initiatives will further enhance the existing awareness levels aboutthe benefits of yoga amongst our officials, and friends from the Ola family.”   Speaking on the joint initiative, Pranav Mehta, General Manager– Delhi NCR, Ola said,“It has been a pleasureto work with the Kendriya Sainik Board to promote health and wellness at today’s event,to celebrate International Day of Yoga. At Ola, we believe that the art ofyoga helps us stay alert and achieve better mental and physical fitness. We are certain that each participant will benefit from what we have learnt here today and will putyoga into practice in their daily lives.”   As a prelude to the commemoration of the International Day of Yoga, Ola and Kendriya Sainik Board organised a discussion on Yoga & Ayurveda, in collaboration with a well-known yoga teacher.   Speaking on the initiative, Gurmail Singh, an Ola Sainik driver partner, said, “I practice yoga every day, it helps me keep cool, calm and active. I thank Ola for organizing this wonderful event; Yoga is a great way to stay healthy and fit. I encourage other driver partners to practice it as well.’’   With participants comprising officials from Kendriya Sainik Board, Department of Ex-ServicemenWelfare, (Ministry of Defence), ex-servicemen from Delhi-NCR,Ola Sainiks, Ola driver partnersand Ola employees, the event started with an opening prayer. This was followed by loosening practices,prone and supine postures, breathing techniques such as Kapalbharti, Pranayam, followed by meditation. After the event, a pledge was led by Ola driver partners to stay alert, fit and healthy.   The United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on December 11, 2014 after the initiation by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi during his UN General Assembly address on September 27, 2014. More than 177 countries supported International Day of Yoga whereas 175 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which is the highest number of co-sponsor in any United National General Assembly resolutions of this kind.