Around 2 lakh practice Yoga daily under 'Rangla Punjab' mission: State Health Minister Balbir Singh

Highlighting the growing impact of the programme, the minister said nearly two lakh people across Punjab now practice Yoga daily.

Speaking to ANI after attending a Yoga event in Jalandhar, Balbir Singh said, "I congratulate the Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for 'CM Di Yogshala', an important component of 'Rangla Punjab' mission, under which around 2 lakh people practice Yoga daily. It is a great initiative to keep diseases at bay... Yoga sessions are being organised at 4581 places in Punjab."

"The CM has a lot of engagements and unavoidable circumstances, which is why he couldn't be here today. He also has to supervise the Ludhiana West assembly by-election. That is why he sent me here," he added.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Thursday organised a yoga session for locals in Dahok Khalsa of Akhnoor ahead of the International Yoga on June 21.

Yoga instructor Kanav, lauding the arrangements made by the Army, stated that people participated in good numbers.

"The Indian Army made very good arrangements... People learnt yoga with their whole heart and soul...People participated in good numbers," Kanav told ANI.

On International Yoga Day this year, Visakhapatnam is set to host a grand event that will also mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation. The city will be hosting an event, which will feature over 2.5 lakh people performing yoga together at a single location -- an attempt to set a new world record.

It will take place along the 27-kilometre-long coastal road of Visakhapatnam, which will serve as the venue for this massive yoga session. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is also expected to join PM Modi for the yoga performance.

On Tuesday, the Andhra Pradesh government conducted a high-level review meeting at the VMRDA office in Visakhapatnam to finalise preparations for the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. The event, which is expected to attract a record turnout of five lakh people, will be held with massive arrangements in place to ensure smooth execution.