By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The curtain on Sunday fell on the CISCE National Pre-Yoga Olympiad 2025 where children showed their superb yoga skills in the three day event hosted by Dehradun-based St Joseph’s Academy (SJA).
In a majestic celebration of spiritual strength, youthful energy, and national unity, the glittering closing ceremony of the CISCE National Pre-Yoga Olympiad 2025 came to an end in the verdant campus of the SJA.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya who was the Chief Guest. Also in attendance were key figures from the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), New Delhi Arijit Basu, Deputy Secretary (Finance) and In-Charge of Sports and Games and Arnav Kumar Shaw, Manager, Games and Sports; Michelle A Gardner, Joint Regional Sports Coordinator, Uttarakhand Region and Anuj Singh, Principal, Prakriti Valley School.
The event also saw the enthusiastic participation of Reverend Brother Joseph M. Joseph, Principal of St. Joseph’s Academy, Reverend Brother J.C. Carroll, Principals, and educators from CISCE-affiliated schools across Uttarakhand, Coordinators, Staff Members and students of SJA.
The ceremony began with a solemn prayer, invoking a sense of peace and purpose, followed by the formal introduction of the Chief Guest.
Brother Joseph warmly welcomed the guests, expressing pride in hosting an event that honors tradition, discipline, and youthful excellence through the practice of yoga. Adding fervor to the morning was a rousing contemporary dance performance set to the anthem “Aarambh Hai Prachand,” which embodied the spirit of determination, discipline, and dynamism; the core values of yoga and the essence of the Olympiad.
A total of 150 young athletes from 15 CISCE regions, including Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Karnataka, Goa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, North India, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand showcased their talents across four categories: Under-14 Boys, Under-14 Girls, Under-17 Boys, and Under-17 Girls. The top four winners in both the Boys’ and Girls’ categories were honored during a lively prize distribution ceremony that celebrated their achievement, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Category 1A: (Girls Under 14 years)
First Position: Aditri De; Heritage School, West Bengal
Anaanya Sengupta; Heritage School, West Bengal
Second Position: Savera; St. Stephen’s School, (Sector- 45 CD), North India
Third Position: Devanshi Naresh Shinde; Tree House High School, Maharashtra
Category 1B: (Boys Under 14 years)
First Position: Himoghna Nath; Liona Calcutta (Greater) Vidyamandir, West Bengal
Second Position: Himanshu Kumar Shaw; Agrasain Boys School, West Bengal
Third Position: Dipanshu Mandal; Krishnanagar Academy, West Bengal
Fourth Position: Gokarna Sharma; Wisdom World School, Maharashtra
Category 2A: (Girls Under 17 years)
First Position: Naisha Sarkar; Sacred Heart Convent, Bihar & Jharkhand
Second Position: Manya Sharma; St Stephen’s School (Sector- 45 CD), North India
Third Position: Namya Sharma; St Stephen’s School (Sector- 45 CD), North India
Fourth Position: Anisha Kadam; Wisdom World School Wakad, Maharashtra
Category 2B: (Boys Under 17 years)
First Position: Adi Karmakar; St. Augustine’s Day School, West Bengal
Second Position: Saunava Hazra; Calcutta Public School, West Bengal
Third Position: Nihal; St Stephen’s School (Sector- 45 CD), North India
Fourth Position: Priyanshu Mandal; Holy Cross School, West Bengal
Officials and Judges associated with the CISCE National Pre-Yoga Olympiad 2025 were also honored for their invaluable mentorship and commitment to the cause. In her inspirational address, the Chief Guest, Arya, applauded the dedication and zeal of the young participants, stressing the timeless relevance of yoga in contemporary education and personal growth. She commended SJA for its seamless organization and gracious hospitality.