Grand Celebration of International Day of Yoga 2025 at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla

Mass Yoga Session Conducted under the Theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, in collaboration with District Ayush Department of Himachal Pradesh and National Cadet Core (NCC), jointly hosted the International Day of Yoga 2025 with great splendour and dignity in the historic lawn of its Main Building from 6:30 AM onwards. This celebration of India’s ancient yoga tradition stood as a powerful example of health awareness, discipline, and collective participation. The theme for this year’s Yoga Day was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, highlighting the interdependence between human health and the environment.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Mehar Chand Negi, Secretary of IIAS, who greeted the officers, participants, and guests, while emphasizing the universality and life-enhancing significance of yoga. This was followed by the keynote address delivered by Dr. Ashwin Sharma, District AYUSH Officer, who described yoga as a priceless contribution of India’s knowledge tradition and a comprehensive tool for internal and external well-being.

Beginning at 7:00 AM, the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session was jointly led by Dr. Nisha Sharma and Dr. Swati Sharma. They were accompanied on stage by Dr. Parul Sharma and Ms. Ritu Rawat, who participated as co-instructors and demonstrated various asanas, pranayama techniques, and meditative exercises, guiding all participants through the session. Scholars, officers, NCC cadets, staff members, and yoga enthusiasts present on the grounds engaged in the practice with discipline, embodying the spirit of the occasion.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Lieutenant Colonel Praveen Thakur, Officer Commanding, NCC Shimla, who expressed gratitude towards the Institute, AYUSH Department, the NCC unit, and all participating instructors and cadets for their cooperation and contribution.
The entire programme was compered by Mr. Akhilesh Pathak, Public Relations Officer, IIAS, whose motivational and well-structured moderation infused the event with energetic flow and meaningful coordination.

This initiative by the Institute proved to be not only a health-oriented endeavour but also an impactful effort to disseminate the universal message of yoga to the wider public.