Gangtok, May 4(IPR):
The valedictory ceremony of the Yoga Teachers’ Training Course, conducted by, Education Department, commenced at Manan Kendra, today
The ceremony had the presence of Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, as the Chief Guest.
The training programme trained 825 teachers at the Tribal Research Centre, Assam Lingzey, covering all government schools, including monastic institutions and Sanskrit Pathshalas. The course concluded with a 21-day residential Yoga Teachers’ Training programme with the aim to introduce yoga in schools by equipping teachers to train and guide students in integrating yoga into their daily lives, thereby promoting physical fitness and mental well-being.
Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, in his address, expressed appreciation for the participation of the teachers. He emphasised the importance of yoga for mental health and highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision behind the introduction of yoga and the establishment of International Yoga Day. He also spoke about the various opportunities and avenues available to enhance overall well-being. Stressing the role of yoga in improving mental health, particularly among the younger generation, he underscored its significance in addressing mental distress.He elaborated on the training programme and urged the trainee teachers to put their learning into practice, promoting an “each one, teach one” approach, with the vision of making Sikkim the first state to take yoga to every household.
The Chief Minister also commended the dedication of the class 10 topper students. He reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision of developing Sikkim as a wellness hub and called for collective efforts to promote yoga for mental health and combat mental distress. He further highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the State Government to strengthen the education system. He also urged everyone to participate in the upcoming 14-day national-level online yoga programme to be organised by the Ministry of AYUSH.
In his address, Minister, Education Department and Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Mr Raju Basnet, extended appreciation to the Chief Minister for the successful visit of the Prime Minister and for the introduction of a paperless judiciary. He elaborated on the Class 10 results, presenting past records and highlighting the improvement in pass percentages over the years. He urged teachers to implement the learnings from the training in schools and called for collective support in promoting yoga across the state. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for his continued support.
In his welcome address, Principal Secretary, Education Department, Mr Sandeep Tambe, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his contributions towards the development of a holistic education system, describing the initiative as the beginning of a silent revolution in classrooms. He also lauded the Chief Minister’s vision of providing world-class education across all government schools. He highlighted that yoga classes will be incorporated into the weekly school curriculum and outlined the programme schedule and context of the event. He further expressed hope that the trained teachers will play a pivotal role in promoting wellness through yoga among students, while emphasising the importance of celebrating health, harmony, and happiness.
In her address, Director, Drolma Yoga School, Ms Rinchen D Bhutia, elaborated on various yoga asanas and emphasised the importance of regular practice. She provided a detailed overview of the training and expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for introducing yoga into the school curriculum, noting that it was a much-needed initiative for students. She also conveyed her hope for a healthier and more balanced Sikkim, and thanked the State Government for their support as well as the teachers for their active participation.
This was followed by a video presentation showcasing the training process and the day-to-day activities of the programme.
Thereafter, experience sharing of the training was presented by PEI, Birdang JHS, Soreng District, Mr Manoj Mukhia and PGT, PMSHRI Namchi SSS, Namchi, Ms Pema Yangkeela Bhutia.
Subsequently, the trainees presented yoga demonstration and certificates were presented to the yoga instructors and trained teachers, while laptops were distributed to 16 Class X topper students by the Chief Minister and other dignitaries.
The Chief Minister was then felicitated by Director, Kurukulla Impact Foundation, Ms Tshering Palmu Bhutia and Director, Drolma Yoga School, Ms Rinchen Dolma Bhutia.
Also present were Minister, Education Department, Sports and Youth Affairs Department and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Mr Raju Basnet, Minister, Health and Family Welfare Department and Culture Department, Mr G T Dhungel, Advisor, Education Department, Mr M P Subba, Chairperson, Student Welfare Board, Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa, OSD, Education Department, Mr Sonam P Bhutia, Principal Secretary, Education Department, Dr Sandeep Tambe, Secretary, AYUSH, Ms Suchitra Rasaily, Director, Kurukulla Impact Foundation, Ms Tshering Palmu Bhutia and Director, Drolma Yoga School, Ms Rinchen Dolma Bhutia, officers from all six districts of Education Department, Ayush Department, teachers, students and other dignitaries.
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Additional Director, School Education, Ms Anugrah Rai.