Varanasi: With participation from hundreds of yoga enthusiasts, the International Yoga Week programme commenced at Namo Ghat on Monday morning.The event was inaugurated by UP AYUSH minister (Independent Charge) Dayashankar Mishra, minister of state for small and Micro Industries Hansraj Vishwakarma and regional Ayurvedic Unani officer Dr Arvind Kumar. The programme was presided over by chief development officer Prakhar Kumar Singh.Hundreds of men and women participated in the session and performed yoga asanas under the common yoga protocol under the guidance of yoga instructors Dinesh Kumar Maurya and Aarti Singh.Addressing the gathering, Dayashankar Mishra described yoga as the foundation of a healthy life, mental balance and positive thinking. He appealed to citizens to make yoga a part of their daily routine, saying it is India’s invaluable cultural heritage that is guiding the world towards a healthier lifestyle.The minister said yoga has gained global recognition under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with International Yoga Day now being celebrated enthusiastically across many countries.He also highlighted the efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to promote yoga, AYUSH and healthy living through various public welfare initiatives. He said yoga is increasingly becoming an integral part of people’s lives, inspired by the vision of both the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.