Bhubaneswar: Odisha joined rest of the world in observing the first International Yoga Day today with a large number of people attending yoga sessions, braving rains.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram participated in the function organised at Jeypore in Koraput district on the occasion.
Similarly, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the International Yoga Day celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.
In the state capital, around 3,000 people including a host of prominent personalities took part in a yoga session organised by the state Health and Family Welfare department in association with State Odisha Ayush Society.
Prominent among those present at the event were state Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda and Higher Education Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi.
All the leaders highlighted the importance of yoga, considered as an ancient form of exercise, in maintaining physical and mental fitness.
Mass yoga sessions were organised in different places where ministers and other leaders participated as their presence would encourage the youngsters to undertake the unique exercise regularly, said a senior official.
Several educational institutions including universities, colleges and schools also held special yoga sessions to mark the day.
The day was also observed at the Central University of Orissa on its campus at Landguda in Koraput.
Yoga practice was organised under the guidance of Prof Kishore Chandra Raut Dean-Academics of the University who is an ardent follower of yoga.
International Yoga Day was also celebrated in KIIT & KISS in Bhubaneswar.
Staff, students and teachers assembled in KIIT ground on the occasion. In KIIT, yoga session was led by Founder of KIIT & KISS Dr Achyuta Samanta. Inaugurating the event, Samanta said, yoga is the only way to free our body and mind from various illnesses.
The day was also observed by East Coast Railway (ECoR) with popular participation on a large scale by Railwaymen.
General Manager of ECoR Rajiv Vishnoi, led officers and staff at the Rail Vihar Community Hall in Bhubaneswar.