Let Us Strive to Build a Healthy Society Through Devotion and Yoga – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Pune : “Yoga is our tradition, our culture, and the key to a joyful life. It is also a system of healing. Through devotion and yoga, let us all collectively work towards building a healthy and wholesome society,” appealed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He was speaking at the ‘Warkari Bhakti Yoga’ program jointly organised on the occasion of International Yoga Day by Savitribai Phule Pune University, Shri Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan (Alandi), and Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Sansthan (Dehu).

Present at the event were Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, renowned scholar of saint literature Dr. Sadanand More, Vice President of the Vitthal Rukmini Sansthan Pandharpur Gahininath Ausekar, Vice-Chancellor of Pune University Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Sports Director Sheetal Teli Ugale, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, and Rajesh Pandey from the university’s advisory council.

Highlighting the rejuvenating power of yoga for both body and mind, CM Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative of presenting yoga at the United Nations. The proposal received unprecedented support from all countries, making it the only such unanimously passed proposal in UN history. For the past 11 years, International Yoga Day has been celebrated globally.

“Yoga can be practiced by anyone,” he added. “It revitalizes the body, mind, and energy centers through asanas. Each posture is designed based on the body’s structure and has healing benefits for every internal and external organ—from head to toe. Across the world, yoga is being embraced for its healing power and wellness benefits.”

CM Fadnavis further said that this year’s message from Prime Minister Modi, “One Earth, One Health,” aligns perfectly with the Warkari tradition. Practicing yoga with the Warkaris is a joyful occasion. Yoga sessions are being held at every rest point of the Wari (pilgrimage), with 700 colleges also participating. He expressed hope that the “Aarogya Wari” initiative will continue as a lasting tradition.

Chandrakant Patil noted that thanks to PM Modi’s UN proposal, this day is now globally celebrated. He said that at this moment, nearly 10 crore people across India and the world are practicing yoga simultaneously. “The global community has rediscovered the ancient significance of yoga, meditation, and yajna (sacrificial rituals) from 5,000 years ago,” he added. The idea to hold yoga programs in colleges located in districts from where the Wari passes was successfully implemented.

In his welcome address, Rajesh Pandey remarked, “Yoga was sown into this soil by Patanjali and Gautam Buddha, and taken to the world stage by PM Modi.” He added that 187 colleges, 1,200 professors, and 6,000 students in Pune city were involved in planning the Yoga Day event. The program was conducted through the National Service Scheme under the Higher and Technical Education Department and was deeply rooted in social commitment.

During the event, yoga instructor Dr. Pallavi Kavhane and her team led everyone through a series of asanas and breathing exercises such as Tadasana, Bhujangasana, Ardha Shalabhasana, Makarasana, Kapalbhati, and Anulom-Vilom.

Among the dignitaries present were MLAs Bhimrao Tapkir, Hemant Rasane, Sunil Kamble, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, CEO of Zilla Parishad Gajanan Patil, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Pune University Parag Kalkar, Trustee of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Adv. Rajendra Umap, Bhavarth Dekhne, and others. Foreign nationals, university deans, principals, and students also took part in the yoga event.

The program concluded with the singing of devotional abhangs (hymns) in celebration of World Music Day.