Over 3,000 people braved sporadic rain to participate in a yoga session here to mark the International Yoga Day on Sunday.
State Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi, Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda and Higher Education Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi were present at the main event at Kalinga stadium here.
More than 3,000 people participated in a session at the stadium organised by the state health and family welfare department in association with State Odisha Ayush Society, said an official.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in International Yoga Day celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram performed yoga at distant Jeypore in Koraput district.
Various universities, colleges and schools also held special yoga sessions to mark the day.
Sunday marks the firstannual International Yoga Day, part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to promote the ancient Indian discipline. With yoga a symbol of national pride, the event saw thousands of people across the country taking part in practicing the discipline.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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