SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed and finalised arrangements for the celebration of International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 across Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to be observed on June 21 under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M. Raju; Commissioner Secretaries of Youth Services and Sports, Social Welfare and School Education departments; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; Secretary Transport; Secretary Rural Development Department; Managing Director, National Health Mission; Director Colleges; Director Ayush and other concerned officers. Deputy Commissioners and district SSPs participated through video conferencing.
Reviewing the preparedness for the event, the Chief Secretary took a detailed appraisal of arrangements being put in place by the divisional administrations and district authorities, including identification of venues, logistical arrangements and mobilisation of participants. He emphasised the need for meticulous planning to ensure the smooth conduct of celebrations across the Union Territory.
Stressing the importance of showcasing Jammu and Kashmir’s natural beauty and tourism potential alongside the message of wellness, Dulloo directed the concerned authorities to organise yoga sessions at prominent tourist destinations across the UT. He said such initiatives would promote the spirit of yoga amid the region’s scenic landscapes while encouraging wider public participation.
Earlier, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education M. Raju briefed the meeting about extensive prelude activities being conducted across Jammu and Kashmir to create awareness and encourage participation in the event. He said these activities include yoga sessions, yoga demonstrations at iconic locations, Samyoga programmes integrating yoga with other healthcare systems, youth-centric initiatives in educational institutions, Harit Yoga programmes promoting environmental consciousness and community outreach campaigns.
The meeting was informed that 1,952 yoga-related events have already been organised across the Union Territory, witnessing participation of more than 1.31 lakh people, reflecting growing public enthusiasm towards yoga and healthy living.
Officials informed the Chief Secretary that, as in previous years, the Directorate of Ayush has been designated as the nodal agency for IDY-2026 celebrations and is coordinating with all line departments and stakeholders for successful organisation of programmes at the Union Territory, district and grassroots levels.
The meeting was further apprised that trained yoga instructors from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi, are being deployed to facilitate mass yoga demonstrations during the countdown activities and the main event.
It was also informed that the flagship event, Yoga Sangam, will be held simultaneously across the country on June 21 based on the Common Yoga Protocol. In Jammu and Kashmir, all 642 Ayush health facilities are being registered on the Yoga Sangam portal launched by the Ministry of Ayush to facilitate large-scale participation.
A mega Union Territory-level event will be organised at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, where around 4,000 to 5,000 participants are expected to take part in a mass yoga demonstration.
Besides the main event, mass yoga programmes will be organised at district headquarters, educational institutions, tourist destinations, healthcare facilities, Anganwadi centres and village-level locations to ensure maximum public participation.
Emphasising the significance of the International Day of Yoga, Dulloo directed all departments to work in close coordination and adopt a whole-of-government approach for the successful conduct of the event. He stressed the need to maximise public participation and make the celebrations a mass movement promoting health, wellness and healthy lifestyles across Jammu and Kashmir.
