NRISA celebrated International Yoga Day on Sunday, 21 June 2026, at the Seniors Centre, 18A Bent Street, Northcote, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event commenced with a warm welcome by NRISA President Mr. Prem Sinha, who greeted the members, guests, and participants and highlighted the importance of yoga for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The program was ably compered by Dr. Rajiv Edavan.
The highlight of the celebration was a light yoga training session conducted by renowned Melbourne Yoga Guru Kawal Bhagat Ji, a nonagenarian, army veteran, and dedicated yoga teacher who has been providing free yoga training to seniors for the past 40 years. The session was enthusiastically supported by his team comprising Ms. Maria MacLennan, Ms. Sheryl Joseph, Ms. Emma McGrath, Ms. Fiona Tunbridge, and Ms. Vanessa Rich.
Participants were guided through a variety of gentle yoga practices, including both mat-based yoga asanas and chair yoga, making the session accessible and enjoyable for seniors of all fitness levels. Members actively participated and greatly appreciated the practical and relaxing nature of the training.
The yoga session was followed by an entertaining cultural program showcasing the talents of NRISA members. The audience enjoyed a lively Bollywood dance performance by Ms. Janki Ganapathi and group members Ms. Usha Sharma, Ms. Anuradha Chopra, and Ms. Anita Chhabra. This was followed by a humorous comedy skit presented by Dr. Neelam Gupta and Dr. Amita Iyer, which generated much laughter and appreciation from the audience. Ms. Manjula Thakur recited a thoughtful poem, while Mr. Arvind Gaindhar entertained everyone with a humorous joke.
The musical segment featured melodious Bollywood songs rendered by Dr. Parminder Mundae, Mr. Vimal Parekh, and Dr. Rajiv Edavan, who kept the audience engaged and entertained throughout the afternoon.
A special attraction of the event was a short musical presentation by Mr. Colin Tozer, who introduced the audience to the unique sounds of the Didgeridoo, the traditional Indigenous Australian wind instrument, and the African Djembe hand drum. His captivating performance added a multicultural and meditative dimension to the celebration.
The program concluded with a sumptuous and delicious lunch, providing members and guests an opportunity to socialize and reflect on the day’s activities.
Overall, the NRISA International Yoga Day celebration was a highly successful and enjoyable event that promoted health, wellness, cultural diversity, and community spirit among members and seniors.
