Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday urged young people to reduce social media usage and adopt yoga as a daily practice.

Addressing a gathering during the International Yoga Day celebrations at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister participated in yoga sessions and called upon people across age groups to incorporate yoga into their daily routines.

He said yoga has become a global movement, with countries around the world observing International Yoga Day. Noting that celebrations were being held across all districts of Odisha, Majhi stressed that practising yoga for 20 to 30 minutes every day can help people lead a healthy and stress-free life.

The Chief Minister described yoga as essential for physical fitness, mental peace and intellectual growth. He advised people to prioritise yoga before turning to medicines, saying preventive health practices can help individuals remain fit and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.

“Do yoga before taking medicines,” he said, adding that yoga serves as a remedy against the challenges of ageing. Referring to health issues such as blood pressure, stress and other ailments that often accompany old age, he urged citizens to prepare themselves early through regular yoga and pranayama.

Sending a strong message to the younger generation, Majhi said, “Leave the mobile phone and pick up the yoga mat.” He encouraged youths to spend at least 20 to 30 minutes practising yoga instead of scrolling through social media platforms.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the state government's commitment to strengthening healthcare services and promoting traditional systems of medicine. He announced that three new Ayurvedic medical colleges would be established in the districts of Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada to further expand the AYUSH healthcare network in Odisha.

Majhi said that the construction of a state-of-the-art Yoga and Naturopathy Institute is underway on a 20-acre campus at Binjhagiri in Jatni. He also noted that the foundation stone for a Central Ayurvedic Medical College has been laid at Rairangpur.

The Chief Minister informed that the state government is taking steps to integrate yoga into school curricula and public health programmes to encourage wider adoption of the practice. He reiterated that the government's goal is to transform yoga into a people's movement and make it an integral part of everyday life across Odisha.