kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 18: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a three-day statewide programme to mark the 12th International Yoga Day. The celebrations will begin on June 19 with a marathon titled “Run for Yoga”. In Kolkata, the main venue for the event has been selected as the area in front of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation building. A special programme named “Vande Yogam” will be organised on the banks of the River Ganga on June 20. The International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 will be held at Red Road in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

International Yoga Day is celebrated every year across the country under the initiative of the Central Government. This year, with the BJP government having been formed in West Bengal, special plans have been made to celebrate the occasion across the state. Preparations for the grand events have already begun. Addressing a press conference from Nabanna on Thursday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari formally announced the three-day schedule of programmes.

The “Run for Yoga” marathon will be organised on June 19 at 11 locations in Kolkata and various parts of the state. Suvendu said that the main programme in Kolkata will begin from in front of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and conclude at Writers’ Building. A large number of participants have already registered for the event. Participants will assemble at 6:30 am and the marathon will begin at 7 am. He appealed to everyone to take part while following all necessary health and safety guidelines.

The Chief Minister further announced that June 20, which will be observed as West Bengal Day, will witness a unique programme named “Vande Yogam” on the Ganga at 5:30 pm. Modern technology will be used to create a special atmosphere, and nearly 3,000 drones will illuminate the Kolkata sky as part of the grand event.

June 21, Yoga Day will be celebrated across the state, with the main programme taking place at Red Road. Participants will gather at 6:15 am, and the main event will begin half an hour later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present at the programme. Suvendu Adhikari also urged citizens to welcome the Prime Minister to the historic city of Kolkata by maintaining a clean, hygienic and environment-friendly atmosphere as part of the Swachh Bharat mission. He appealed to people to keep their local areas clean and contribute towards making the city ready for the grand celebration.