22-03-2026:Governor participated in the closing ceremony of the International Yoga Festival 2026 held in Rishikesh.

Lok Bhavan Uttarakhand-Information Wing
Press Note

Grand Conclusion of International Yoga Festival 2026 in Rishikesh

Governor emphasizes making Yoga an integral part of life

Call to spread the message of Yoga from Rishikesh to the world

Yoga is a symbol of India’s soft power – Governor

Lok Bhavan Dehradun/ Rishikesh 22 March, 2026

The Governor, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd), participated in the closing ceremony of the International Yoga Festival 2026 held in Rishikesh. Organized by the Tourism Department and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the week-long festival witnessed participation from over 2,500 yoga practitioners from India and abroad.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor stated that the event is not merely a closing ceremony but the beginning of a renewed commitment to take the message of yoga to the entire world. He highlighted that Rishikesh, nestled in the sacred lap of the Himalayas and on the banks of the holy Ganga, is a global center of spiritual consciousness and practice. He urged people to visit Uttarakhand, especially Rishikesh and Haridwar, to experience yoga and spirituality.

The Governor emphasized that yoga is a means of uniting the body, mind, and soul. It is not just a practice but a way of life. He noted that adopting yoga in daily life is essential to achieve peace, happiness, and spiritual balance. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said it reinforced the importance of health awareness, and yoga along with Ayurveda can significantly strengthen both physical and mental well-being.

He further stated that Uttarakhand has a special responsibility to promote the message of yoga and Ayurveda globally. Calling upon the youth, he encouraged them to become the “Amrit Generation” and take a lead in spreading yoga among the masses. He added that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has become a global mass movement and a symbol of India’s soft power.

Appreciating the successful event of the festival, the Governor said that this year’s event reflected the energy, dedication, and excellent management by the youth. He thanked the organizers and volunteers and emphasized that yoga should not be limited to events but be adopted as a way of life. During the ceremony, outstanding yoga practitioners were honored, and students from Dev Sanskriti University showcased impressive yoga performances.

The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, President of Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust Narendrajit Singh Bindra, Swami Prem Baba, District Magistrate Tehri Garhwal Nitika Khandelwal, MD GMVN Prateek Jain, SSP Tehri Garhwal Ayush Agarwal, Municipal Chairperson Muni Ki Reti Neelam Bijalwan, and other dignitaries.

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