On 21th June 2025, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Morabadi, Ranchi celebrated International Yoga Day with great enthusiasm. The theme for this year was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” On this occasion, a special workshop was organized in the Ashrama premises with the topic “Yoga for Yogic Jharkhand and Disease-Free Jharkhand – Yoga in Every Courtyard.”
The programme formally commenced with Vedic chanting and lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The Chief Guest was Shri Ranjit Dutta, Executive Director of Prabhat Khabar newspaper, and the event was presided over by Swami Bhaveshananda, Secretary of the Ashrama. Swami Antarananda, Joint Secretary, welcomed the guests and highlighted the true meaning of yoga, stating that “Yoga” means union – of the body, mind, and spirit. He explained that yoga, based on scientific principles, is a subtle and effective healing practice that should be incorporated into daily life to lead a disease-free existence.
Shri R.R. Panigrahi, a yoga practitioner and speaker of the day, emphasized that yoga is a solution to many mental and psychological problems. He described it as an effective method of stress management and encouraged everyone to practice yoga regularly for inner peace.
The Chief Guest, Shri Ranjit Dutta, appreciated the humanitarian work of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama and stressed that yoga should be integrated into one’s lifestyle consistently. He described yoga as a science and an art of living that inspires individuals to move towards positivity and holistic well-being.
In his presidential address, Swami Bhaveshananda spoke about the deeper meaning of yoga as a path to connection and harmony. Reflecting on this year’s theme, he elaborated on the ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). He also inspired attendees to internalize the ideal taught by Swami Vivekananda:
“Ātmānam mokṣārtham jagat hitāya cha” – For one’s own liberation and for the good of the world.
The day began at 6:30 a.m. with a mass yoga session, in which around 2,000 practitioners participated enthusiastically. To promote a yoga-centric Jharkhand, the Ashrama also organized a state-level yoga competition, and prizes were awarded to all successful participants. Pranjal from Vivekananda Central School, Hazaribag, secured the first prize and received a cash award of ₹10,000.
In the second session, around 290 participants, including monastics, staff members of the Ashrama, KVK, and RKMVERI, along with scientists and yoga enthusiasts, took part in the concluding programmes.
