Indian army jawans, officers line up on frost to observe World Yoga Day along Siachen

Functions were held at different locations in Ladakh’s twin districts of Leh and Kargil.

Srinagar: Siachen at a height of 19, 600 feet above sea level is is known as the world’s highest battleground where India and Pakistan have fought intermittently since April 1984 and which has also been the scene of many natural disasters, leaving hundreds of soldiers dead or maimed.

On Tuesday, it was, however, a dissimilar and unique sight along what is actually a huge slice of ice. Dozens of soldiers lined up on the frost to observe the World Yoga Day. The event was organized by Army’s Fire & Fury Corps. Similar functions were held at different locations in Ladakh’s twin districts of Leh and Kargil and other forward areas along the borders with Pakistan and China, defence spokesperson Colonel S.D. Goswami said.

“Apart from giving an impetus to physical fitness, the event aimed to popularise yoga and also to spread awareness on benefits of yoga amongst the soldiers,” he said.

The Indian Army has incorporated Yoga Asanas into the daily routine of the soldiers in high altitude areas including Siachen as they stay deployed in harsh climatic conditions and yoga is only helping them to cope with it. “Practice of Yoga by soldiers in such an environment helps them to combat various diseases such as high altitude sickness, hypoxia, pulmonary oedema and the psychological stresses of isolation and fatigue,” he said adding “The respiratory adaptations of Pranayama help the soldiers to better adapt to the low oxygen environment in high altitude areas”.

Army said that a positive, well relaxed and de-stressed body and mind is the most significant benefit of yoga which in turn assists the soldiers to operate successfully, in such a challenging environment. The yoga sessions at all locations were organised by trained instructors who explained and demonstrated the correct postures for various asanas while explaining their benefits.