Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Yoga Mahotsav Samiti’s annual event at Utkal University here on Saturday.Lauded the contribution of the samiti in popularising yoga across Odisha, he said the organisation had played a significant role in taking the ancient Indian practice to villages and communities across the state.Majhi also recalled Odisha’s record-setting International Yoga Day celebration at Kalinga Stadium and appreciated the organisation’s efforts to introduce yoga courses at the varsity through an MoU.More than 2,500 people, including over 600 office-bearers from 36 organisational districts of the samiti, had attended the event, and performed yogasanas collectively.Politician and keynote speaker Sudhanshu Trivedi described yoga as an invaluable legacy of India’s Vedic tradition, stressing that it was not merely physical exercise but a spiritual process connecting the soul with the Supreme Being. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in 2014 with giving yoga a new global identity and appreciated the samiti’s grassroots initiatives.Sports and youth services minister Suryabanshi Suraj said more than five lakh people had practised yoga in Odisha last year with the samiti’s support. Steps had been initiated to introduce yoga courses based on the Indian Knowledge System in accordance with the National Education Policy, he added.Utkal University vice-chancellor Chandi Prasad Nanda said the institution planned to establish a Yoga, AYUSH and Wellness Centre to promote holistic education and well-being.