The Crossbill News Desk
Passengers travelling on four Vande Bharat Express trains in Gujarat on International Day of Yoga will be offered the opportunity to participate in onboard yoga sessions, marking the first time such activities will be conducted on running trains in the state.
The initiative, scheduled for June 21, follows a practice that was first introduced in Mumbai in 2022 and is being organised by the Western Railway's Ahmedabad Division.
Unlike last year, when yoga activities were held inside a stationary Vande Bharat train at Gandhinagar railway station due to heavy rainfall, this year's programme will take place while the trains are in motion.
According to The Indian Express, a statement issued by the Western Railway on Saturday said, “On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on June 21, Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway is organising yoga sessions on a large scale at various important places of the division as well as in four Vande Bharat Express trains. This year, such sessions will be organised on the railway premises as well as on running trains with the aim of making the passengers aware of health, balanced lifestyle and overall well-being.”
The trains selected for the programme are Train No. 20902 Gandhinagar Capital–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 12462 Sabarmati–Jodhpur Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26964 Asarwa–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express and Train No. 22925 Ahmedabad–Okha Vande Bharat Express.
According to the railway statement, “Passengers travelling in these trains will be able to practice simple yoga asanas and pranayama that can be done while sitting on the seat under the guidance of yoga instructors.”
Western Railway Ahmedabad Division PRO Ajay Solanki said the authorities had originally intended to organise a similar programme last year but adverse weather conditions had prevented it.
“There was a lot of rain last year, so we did yoga in a stationary train in Gandhinagar last year. This year, we will facilitate it in these running trains. It can be done in the corridor or while sitting on the seats,” Solanki told the newspaper.
Responding to concerns regarding passengers who may not wish to participate, he said special arrangements had been made to minimise inconvenience.
“We have chosen trains on routes that have lesser occupancy to make sure there is enough space to conduct yoga. Also, it won’t be in all the coaches. It will depend on the number of volunteers available for each train, they will be divided between the coaches,” he said.
He added that participation would remain entirely voluntary.
“We don’t want to force anyone to participate in the yoga. There won’t be any sort of music to accompany it. There will be volunteers from Art of Living and passengers will be told that if they wish to join, they can do so.”
The initiative represents an expansion of International Day of Yoga celebrations on Indian Railways and seeks to promote wellness among passengers without disrupting regular travel arrangements.
The initiative, scheduled for June 21, follows a practice that was first introduced in Mumbai in 2022 and is being organised by the Western Railway's Ahmedabad Division.
Unlike last year, when yoga activities were held inside a stationary Vande Bharat train at Gandhinagar railway station due to heavy rainfall, this year's programme will take place while the trains are in motion.
According to The Indian Express, a statement issued by the Western Railway on Saturday said, “On the occasion of International Day of Yoga on June 21, Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway is organising yoga sessions on a large scale at various important places of the division as well as in four Vande Bharat Express trains. This year, such sessions will be organised on the railway premises as well as on running trains with the aim of making the passengers aware of health, balanced lifestyle and overall well-being.”
The trains selected for the programme are Train No. 20902 Gandhinagar Capital–Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 12462 Sabarmati–Jodhpur Vande Bharat Express, Train No. 26964 Asarwa–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express and Train No. 22925 Ahmedabad–Okha Vande Bharat Express.
According to the railway statement, “Passengers travelling in these trains will be able to practice simple yoga asanas and pranayama that can be done while sitting on the seat under the guidance of yoga instructors.”
Western Railway Ahmedabad Division PRO Ajay Solanki said the authorities had originally intended to organise a similar programme last year but adverse weather conditions had prevented it.
“There was a lot of rain last year, so we did yoga in a stationary train in Gandhinagar last year. This year, we will facilitate it in these running trains. It can be done in the corridor or while sitting on the seats,” Solanki told the newspaper.
Responding to concerns regarding passengers who may not wish to participate, he said special arrangements had been made to minimise inconvenience.
“We have chosen trains on routes that have lesser occupancy to make sure there is enough space to conduct yoga. Also, it won’t be in all the coaches. It will depend on the number of volunteers available for each train, they will be divided between the coaches,” he said.
He added that participation would remain entirely voluntary.
“We don’t want to force anyone to participate in the yoga. There won’t be any sort of music to accompany it. There will be volunteers from Art of Living and passengers will be told that if they wish to join, they can do so.”
The initiative represents an expansion of International Day of Yoga celebrations on Indian Railways and seeks to promote wellness among passengers without disrupting regular travel arrangements.
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