Port Blair, March 28: Yoga is important for our mental wellness as well as physical health. Knowing all the positive aspects of yoga, the Ministry of Education through NCERT is taking multi-dimensional initiative to promote Yoga in curriculum and transaction in schools. Under the theme of ‘Yoga for Health and Harmony’, the Samagra Shiksha UT Mission Authority has conducted the Yoga Olympiad competitions at various stages viz. School, Cluster, Block and UT level.

The 8th UT Level Yoga Olympiad 2022-23 was organised at Teachers Home, Port Blair on March 27 & 28, 2023 in which altogether 48 students from all three districts participated in the State Level Yoga Olympiad. The competitions were held in 2 categories viz. Upper Level (VI to VIII) Boys & Girls and Secondary level (IX & X) Boys & Girls. 

The winners of the State Level competitions of both categories will participate in the National Level Yoga Olympiad competition to be held in the month of June 2023 at New Delhi.  Shri Aditya Kumar Jha, Director (Edn)/State Project Director inaugurated the two days Yoga competitions and graced the occasion.

In his inaugural address, the chief guest appreciated the efforts of Samagra Shiksha in organizing the Yoga Olympiad for the students of this UT and providing them an opportunity to display their yoga skills. He further added that Yoga is not merely an exercise but a way to attain peace through physical, mental and spiritual well being. Yoga is a philosophy of discipline and meditation that transforms the spirit and makes the individual a better person in thought, action, knowledge and devotion.

In the closing ceremony, Shri R K Singh, State Project Officer/ Deputy Director (Perl &Plg) as the chief guest gave away the prizes, trophies and certificates to the winners of different categories.

In his address, he congratulated the winners and all the participants. He expressed his happiness at the overwhelming responses from all the three Districts especially from the participants from southernmost Island Campbell Bay who are not only participated but also won the First & Second Prize in one of the categories. He also expressed his happiness about the competitive spirit shown by all participants and hoped that they will come out with flying colours at National Level competition and make this Islands proud. He also extended his best wishes and blessings to the winners of UT Level Yoga Olympiad.  Earlier Shri Biswanath Sen, Assistant Director(Sports) welcomed the gathering.