NE DEFENCE BUREAU
CHENNAI, JUNE 21
In a remarkable celebration of fitness, mindfulness and community well-being, Air Force Station Avadi marked the 12th International Day of Yoga with an expansive week-long programme that reached far beyond the confines of the airbase, bringing together Air Warriors, defence civilians, students, public sector employees and members of sister services under the unifying banner of wellness.
Centred on this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” the celebrations highlighted yoga’s growing relevance in promoting physical vitality, mental resilience, emotional balance and a healthier quality of life across generations.
- Week-long celebrations culminate in a massive Yoga Day gathering championing fitness, resilience and healthy ageing
- Air Force Station Avadi takes yoga beyond its gates, engaging defence establishments, schools and public sector units
- From cycling rallies and quizzes to detoxification workshops and mass yoga sessions, wellness takes centre stage
The observance commenced on June 14 with a series of engaging activities designed to spread awareness about holistic health and the benefits of yoga. These included expert lectures on healthy nutrition, the celebration of one year of online yoga sessions at Air Force Station Avadi, dedicated yoga programmes for defence civilians, and demonstrations of Jalneti, a traditional yogic detoxification technique.
Personnel from major defence establishments, including Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) and Ordnance Clothing Factory (OCF), actively participated in the wellness initiatives.
The week also featured an inter-school quiz competition for Air Warriors, a cycling rally to promote awareness about yoga and a colourful cultural programme showcasing yoga asanas performed by students of Air Force School Avadi and Kendriya Vidyalaya Avadi.
The celebrations culminated on June 21 with a grand mass yoga session led by Air Commodore Pradeep Sharma, VSM, Air Officer Commanding 23 Equipment Depot, along with certified yoga instructors Dr. Sujata Mahekar and Group Captain Rachna Sharma (Retd.). Hundreds of participants joined the live demonstration, transforming the occasion into a powerful expression of collective wellness.
Addressing the gathering, the Air Officer Commanding highlighted the far-reaching benefits of yoga for military personnel and civilians alike.
“Yoga plays a vital role in enhancing physical endurance, mental resilience and emotional balance. It serves as an invaluable tool in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and contributes significantly to operational effectiveness and overall well-being,” he said.
A defining feature of this year’s observance was its outreach beyond the Air Force Station campus. For the first time, celebrations were expanded to include active participation from various defence establishments across the Avadi region, reflecting a broader commitment to community engagement and preventive healthcare.
The initiative embodied the spirit of the International Day of Yoga by encouraging people from all walks of life to adopt yoga as an integral part of their daily routine. The programme concluded with participants taking a collective pledge to continue practising yoga regularly and to promote its health benefits within their families, workplaces and communities.
By blending ancient wisdom with modern wellness needs, Air Force Station Avadi transformed International Day of Yoga into a powerful movement for healthier living, stronger communities and a more resilient nation.
