International Day of Yoga-23 (IDY-2023) was celebrated at Vivekananda Cultural Centre Campus jointly in collaboration with Indiatourism Chennai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
About 150+ students attended of which 100 were from Yoga Tourism Clubs (YTCs) from Kendriya Vidyalayas in and around Chennai, and Ethiraj College. 50 students from Hindu Senior Secondary School, and La Chatelaine Junior College students also were specially invited.
The program began around 6:45 am with the singing of Tamil Thai Valthu and National Anthem.
Smt. Padmavathy Assistant Director, India tourism Chennai, set the tone of the celebration by highlighting the theme 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family and encouraged all to practice Yoga every day and become strong citizens.
Swami Dharmishtananda encouraged all students to practice Yoga regularly to defeat ill health and weakness and avoid frequent visits to medical facilities, develop a healthy, positive and patriotic attitude in tune with the teachings of Swami Vivekananda–the patriot saint of India.
Swami Raghunayakananda in his motivating talk, asked all to practice Yoga, not just as a set of postures or breathing practices etc., but take it up as a regular practice to create a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy environment around us.
Soveneirs, and certificates were distributed to all. Participants were served refreshments after the program.