International Yoga Day observed in Congress-ruled Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: International Yoga Day was today observed in the Congress-ruled Kerala even as Union Ministers Sadananda Gowda and Suresh Prabhu were among the participants at the yoga sessions at various places across the state.

The Yoga Day celebrations were inaugurated by Health Minister V S Sivakumar at the Central stadium here in the presence of Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson.

Yoga dance, classes and seminars are also being organised as part of the celebrations and a documentary on yoga was also released.

Some leaders of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest partner in the UDF, had come out against the Centre's decision to celebrate International Yoga Day.

Gowda attended a yoga session at Aruvikkara, where an assembly bypoll is being held on June 27, accompanied by former union minister O Rajagopal, the BJP candidate for the poll, and other BJP leaders.

He also attended a yoga session with students organised by the Nehru Yuvak Kendra at a Government Higher Secondary school here and exhorted them to make it a part of daily routine.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu participated in yoga exercises in Kochi where Ernakulam Congress MLA Hibi Eden was also present along with the BJP leaders.

A 'Mass Yoga Event' was also held at the Military Station at nearby Pangode in which at least 3000 persons, including military personnel, NCC cadets and students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pangode and APS, Thiruvananthapuram attended the celebrations.