Mysuru: Hundreds of women and girls participated in a yoga programme on Saturday under the theme ‘Odanadi Yoga Stop Trafficking’ to protest human trafficking, sexual abuse, and war.The 18th International Yoga Programme, titled ‘Yoga Stop Trafficking’, was organised by Odanadi Seva Samsthe in front of the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple at the north gate of Mysuru Palace.Karnataka State Commission for Women chairperson Nagalakshmi Chaudhary launched the awareness campaign by performing yoga. She said society and individuals share the responsibility of combating the widespread exploitation and trafficking of women, adding that Odanadi has been dedicated to this cause for many years.Recalling history, she noted that at a time when women were not viewed as equals, the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysuru granted women special status, equality, education, respect, and leadership opportunities — achievements won through great struggle. “This is our good fortune,” she said, stressing that more progress is still needed and that the commission remains committed to strengthening women’s rights and equality.Odanadi Seva Samsthe director KV Stanley said that for the past three decades, the organisation has been fighting human trafficking, sexual violence, and various social issues through collective effort.For the last 18 years, under the ‘Yoga Stop Trafficking’ initiative, yoga has been used as a tool for peaceful resistance and protest — a way to convey a message to society and advocate for equality, he said.He added that even today, incidents of sexual abuse persist, and Odanadi believes that instilling strong values is essential to addressing such issues. The yoga event saw participation from hundreds of people, including students from various institutions, yoga practitioners, yoga school students, NSS volunteers, and the public.
