Hundreds, including burqa clad women, celebrate Yoga Day in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar: Ignoring threats from militants, hundreds of people, including women and children, today rolledout Yoga mats across the Kashmir Valley to mark the International Yoga Day. In spite of authorities feeling that there is extreme terrorist threat and opposition to Yoga from a section of people, a successful programme was conducted at Kupwara, a border district on the LoC. A large number of youths from the border villages joined in despite heavy rains and chill and performed Yoga.

More than 1500 youths participated in Kupwara. "A unique fact was the participation of a very large number of burqa clad young girls from different villages in the programme," DG Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan Maj Gen Dilawar Singh, who led the programme, told UNI over phone. He assured the participants that their demands including continuous Yoga training, sports tournaments and kits and holding of number of opportunities for Youth Exchange programmes will be met. "Accordingly, as required, special programmes for Youth of Kashmir will be commenced.

The overwhelming response of the youth in spite of the prevailing situation was heart warming," he said. The programmes at Jammu witnessed 3500, Leh witnessed 2000 people, whereas Srinagar had participation of 4000 youths besides 100 to 1000 youths attending about 7800 programmes across J&K. The NYKS conducted over 1,00,000 Yoga events across the country to mark the Day. (UNI)