Imphal: LDA Chairman Moirangthem Asnikumar Singh led the International Day of Yoga Celebrations at Champu Khangpok Floating Village in Loktak Lake Tuesday.
He was joined by Project Director, L Bhagaton Singh; LDA project planning in-charge, Ng Sanajaoba; LDA staff, and community members of Champu Khangpok Floating Village.
Speaking on the occasion after joining the community in a Yoga demonstration, Chairman Asnikumar stressed the need for Yoga in our daily lives and that it is great for both the body and the mind, it offers peace and mindfulness and helps us in getting through daily stress.
Quoting PM Narendra Modi, he said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and nature.” He also thanked PM Narendra Modi for providing a platform for people to come together and celebrate Yoga.
The celebration also included the distribution of traditional hats – Yempak, to the community. “Our traditional Yempak is going to replace the plastic hats, not only are our traditional Yempak made of organic material, but it is also going to spread the message of reducing plastic waste in the lake. Plastic waste in Loktak Lake is a menace we need to tackle on a priority level. People and various government agencies have to come together to solve this problem,” he added.
Addressing the community, Project Director, L Bhagaton Singh emphasized how Yoga is an extension of the peaceful co-existence of man and nature. “Development doesn’t mean to destroy nature to suit our wants and now LDA is moving ahead with a new philosophy of community engagement,” he said.
LDA project planning in-charge, Ng Sanajaoba speaking to the community members, underlined the need for achievement of inner peace through Yoga, creating self and spiritual awareness, and balance with nature.
The celebration ended with an appeal from the Chairman, M Asnikumar Singh, for community participation and their support for making the efforts of LDA in conserving and preserving the Loktak Lake ecosystem and traditional culture a grand success.
Our government under the leadership of CM N Biren Singh is planning to convert the Champu Khangpok Floating Village into a floating heritage village, to honour, preserve and promote the traditions and unique lifestyle of the community. He also announced exploring a mechanism where the fishing community can get together and practice Yoga regularly in the near future.
