The Minister stated that for the first time, the Delhi Government, in collaboration with the Government of India, will officially host International Yoga Day events in the capital. To mark the 11th edition of International Yoga Day, celebrations will be held at 11 key stadiums and sports complexes across Delhi including Thyagaraj Stadium, East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex, Jhilmil Colony, Bawana, Prahladpur, Bharat Nagar, Yamuna Bank, Najafgarh Stadium, Dwarka Sector-6, Ashok Nagar Hockey Stadium, among others. A Minister will be designated to oversee activities at each of these venues.
Shri Sood emphasized that the primary objective of this initiative is to promote physical and mental wellness while encouraging the practice of yoga among students, teachers, and the community. Nearly 20,000 participants are expected to join, including students and teachers from Delhi government schools, yoga instructors, NSS/NCC cadets, and civil defence volunteers.
Chhatrasal Stadium has been selected as the main venue, where around 10,000 participants will engage in yoga practice, supported by 5,000 volunteers from the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan. Each of the other 10 venues will host approximately 1,000 participants.
The Minister also stated that all participants will be provided with T-shirts, water, refreshments, and yoga mats. Each yoga venue will be equipped with medical facilities, ambulances, fire safety arrangements, mobile toilets, sanitation, fogging, electricity, and water supply.
Additionally, Delhi Police will handle security and traffic management. All major venues will feature CCTV surveillance, traffic signages, colour-coded parking passes (Red, Green, Yellow), and special arrangements for emergency services.
District Magistrates have been directed to ensure participant transportation, safety, refreshment distribution, and availability of yoga mats and T-shirts in their respective areas. They have also been instructed to invite schools, colleges, community leaders, yoga instructors, and heads of government offices to participate and promote yoga. The event will be broadcast live on the edudel.nic.in website.
Shri Sood appealed to all participants and citizens to actively contribute and make yoga a part of their daily lifestyle.
On “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” Campaign
Speaking on the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign, the Minister described it as a unique initiative combining environmental protection with honoring motherhood. The first phase of this campaign was launched on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024, when Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi planted a Peepal sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi.
On World Environment Day 2025, the Prime Minister planted a Banyan tree at Mahavir Jayanti Park in Delhi. On the same day, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan also participated in a plantation drive at PM Shri School (Gol Market). As part of this campaign, on June 9, Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta will plant a sapling at Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya, Shalimar Bagh.
The campaign supports the Government of India’s target of planting 10 crore (100 million) saplings. Complementing this, the Delhi Government aims to plant 3.7 lakh saplings in 2025-26, including 1 lakh trees, 2 lakh shrubs, and 70,000 bamboo plants in schools, near main roads, and in large parks.
The campaign also promotes awareness about plastic-free plantation (using clay pots and sacks instead), discouraging the use of chemical fertilizers, and ensuring the care and nurturing of previously planted saplings.
The Education Minister appealed to all teachers, students, principals, citizens, and government employees to plant a tree in their mother’s name and upload a selfie with it. He also urged all departments present to actively contribute to the success of this campaign.
The campaign will see participation from the Chief Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and all government, aided, and private schools in Delhi.
Shri Sood said that “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” must become a people’s movement. This flagship campaign by both the Government of India and the Delhi Government will run across June, July, and August.
He concluded by stating, “Our shared goal is a Greener Delhi — a clean, green, and environmentally conscious capital.”
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