Int'l Yoga Day: Baba Ramdev kick-starts celebrations in Faridabad

Faridabad (UP): Yoga guru Baba Ramdev kick-started the yoga day celebrations on Tuesday morning in Faridabad, on the occasion of International Yoga Day. Lakhs gathered in Faridabad's HUDA ground to practice yoga with Ramdev. International Day of Yoga celebrations began across the nation, as various states were seen holding yoga sessions, where people turned out in large numbers to practice the ancient Indian discipline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in a mass yoga demonstration at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh. Over 30, 000 people, including 100 differently-abled children, participated in the event in Chandigarh. The theme this year's event is to 'Connect the Youth'. As per reports, 10,000 participants each from Chandigarh and adjoining states of Haryana and Punjab will perform yoga asanas with Prime Minister Modi at the main event at the complex. Elaborate arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth performance at the venue. The complex is divided into 8 blocks where 500 master trainers along with their team members will perform. Nearly 600 buses are being used to ferry the participants to the venue. 300 pre-fabricated bio-toilets and 30,000 mats are being used on the occasion. Stringent security arrangements have been put in place for event in Chandigarh. About 4000 paramilitary and 3000 Chandigarh police personnel have been deployed to guard the programme. Over 173 Indian missions across the world are also organizing Yoga Day celebrations to spread awareness about the ancient Indian exercise. Besides, the main event on the Yoga Day, several Indian missions have organized a series of curtain raiser events in various parts of the world to spread Yoga awareness. Meanwhile, the United Nations headquarters in New York was lit up ahead of International Yoga Day.