New Delhi: It was a joyous day for hundreds of school children participating in the International Yoga Day who were as excited to be part of the mega event at Rajpath as they were to meet Prime Minister Narender Modi.
The excitement among the young kids was so palpable that they mobbed the PM when he went to meet them after the event. Urvashi, a class sixth student of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya had a dream to meet Modi, which came true with the event.
"We were very excited to participate in this function.
But when we got to know that PM will also be there, we became even more very happy. We wanted to see him since long," she said.
The children who were preparing for last one month to showcase a smooth performance, were not doing it without any understanding of its benefits. "Yoga keeps us fit and we also don't get diseases," Trishna, a class eight student.
The teachers were equally satisfied to see the dedication of the children for the event. "This performance will remain embarked as a big memory of their lives and they will cheer it for the rest of their lives.This is an achievement for them," said one of the teachers accompanying them.
For many others at Rajpath, it was a lifetime opportunity to witness thousands of people performing yoga simultaneously.
"The special thing about the event was that it was an integral effort by thousands of people to perform this ancient practice. This will surely spread the message that it is time to look within," said Harshita Banihal, a civil services aspirant.
"Nothing could have been as enjoyable experience as this one. We do yoga regularly but this participation was special especially for housewives like us," said Snehlata who had come with a group of 100 women from Faridabad.
Over 35,000 people participated in the event including yoga trainers and aspirants, NCC, Para-military forces, Secretaries of Union Ministries, Delhi Police trainees and personnel and various central and state government officials.
The occasion was also a 'selfie' opportunity for several people as they took pictures on Rajpath after the programme.
The weather also played an amusing role as it turned inclement just as the event reached the end leaving people surprised and cheerful.
