Vaishnaw leads International Yoga Day celebrations at Konark Temple

Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw led the 8th International Yoga Day at the Sun Temple in Konark on June 21.

More than two thousand people including various Central government organisations, students of various schools and colleges along with Yoga experts participated in the event.

Addressing the participants, Vaishnaw said that regular yoga practice helps to stay energetic and have strong immune system.

At the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014, it was decided to celebrate International Yoga Day which was implemented world over since June 21 June, 2015.

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Sharad Kumar Srivastav, General Manager (I/C), East Coast Railway; Chief Post Master General Subendu Kumar Swain; Sri Sri University Vice Chancellor Prof. BR Sharma, Divisional Railway Manager, Khurda Road Shri Rinkesh Ray attended the event.

Officials from Archeological Survey of India, Ministry of Ayush, Central Reserve Police Force, Para Military Forces and other Central government institutions participated in the event.

Later, Vaishnaw inspected Puri Railway Station and reviewed the proposed developmental works, which is going to be converted into a world class station.

The minister informed that the Railway is taking necessary steps to accommodate pilgrims for the upcoming Rath Yatra, which was held without pilgrims for the last two years due to Covid.

However, this year, railway expects more pilgrims to gather in Puri. Therefore, railway is planning to run special trains.

Vaishnaw also announced resumption of 68414/68413 Puri-Talcher-Puri MEMU, 68438/68437 Cuttack-Bhadrak-Cuttack MEMU, 18414/18413 Puri-Paradeep-Puri Express and 20857/20858 Puri-Sai Nagar Shirdi-Puri Express trains which were cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak.