UDHAMPUR: NCORD Unit of Government Degree College Neeli Nallah organized Yoga Mahotsav-2024 in collaboration with the Directorate of Ayush J&K.

The event was held under the guidance of Principal of the College, Prof. Hans Raj to educate the students about Yoga for women empowerment and eradication of drug abuse.

In his keynote address, the Principal emphasized that adopting Yoga in life helps to overcome different diseases and reduce stress. He said by performing certain Yoga asanas one can also get rid of drug addiction.

Dr. Rakesh Gupta (MD) and Dr. Vilakshi Jamwal (MO) were the resource persons.

Dr. Vilakshi Jamwal spoke on the topic "Yoga for Women Empowerment" and advised women to join yoga classes to build their self-confidence, capabilities and alleviate self-consciousness and promote body positivity among them. She also said that yoga can address specific health concerns such as menstrual discomfort, pregnancy and menopause. "The yoga also connects like-minded women who share their interests and goals," he added.

Dr. Rakesh Gupta deliberated on drug abuse and its harmful effects. "Drug abuse changes the behaviour of an addict as he experiences mood swings, increased aggression toward others, sleeplessness or insomnia, upset stomach, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Drug using is life threatening and causes disability or permanent damage and in females during pregnancy causes birth defects" he added.

He said that sometimes students make use of drugs to stimulate their performance in sports and studies because of peer pressure of scoring good rank. He stressed upon the students to adopt sports and yoga activities as a part of their daily life in order to enhance their performance in sports and studies instead of using drugs.

Later, the Yoga experts Dinesh Bhagat and Nitoshi Sharma led the practical session and performed various yoga asanas involving students and staff members.

The programme was organised by Prof Rekha Sharma, NCORD Coordinator. Others who were present in the programme Dr. Maansi Sharma, Dr. Sunil Tanoch, Prof. Shaista Yasmeen, Pradeep Kumar, Dr. Neha Bhagat, Dr. Akhter Hussain.