Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 21: The International Day of Yoga was observed by the Father Muller Charitable Institutions and its educational units on Wednesday,  June 21, 3:30 pm onwards in the institutions's indoor stadium. The word Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means ‘to bind to align to hold’ was first proposed by the current prime minister of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi during his speech at the UNGA, on September 27.

June 21 being the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (shortest in the southern hemisphere), is having special significance in many parts of the world and in belief is when the Adi Yogi (Shiva) is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the rest of mankind on this day.

Father Muller Charitable Institutions Educational Units, the Father Muller Medical College(FMMC), Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College (FMHMC), Father Muller College of Allied Health Sciences (FMCAHS), Father Muller College of Nursing(FMCON), Father Muller School of Nursing (FMSON) and the Father Muller College (FMC) Speech and Hearing, Father Muller Nursing College Thumbay (FMNCT) with its National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers participated in the event in a grand manner.

Dr Shiji PJ, professor and head, Community Nursing, FMSON, welcomed the guest and elaborated on the importance of the day. She said, Yoga in everyday life is one of the healthiest practice people can make and also quoting the Bhagavad Gita “ Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self”.

Fr Richard A Coelho, director, FMCI, in his presidential address, reminded the gathering of the importance of yogic science in spirituality. He quoted saying, "The one who knows how to speak, avoids quarrel; likewise, the one who knows how to eat avoids illness; attaining wellness. Yoga practiced from Vedic times was systematically practiced from the 1800 in a organized manner and spread around the world in its various forms. It has been a great contribution to the world, creating health awareness and tranquillity of body and mind. He stressed on three points that a Yoga practitioner attains namely sufficient physical strength, sound mental intellect and will power and serenity or wholeness of soul.

The workshop on Yoga was conducted in the fully air-conditioned Father Muller Indoor Stadium with more than 700 participants. Demonstrations and performance of a series of Yogasanas were performed by associate professor, Dr Usha, from the Father Muller College (Speech and Hearing). Pearl, intern of FMC, compered the event. Members of the management committee of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions were present. Many of the faculty members of the various units of FMCI performed and participated too.