Agartala, Jun 21 (IANS): Thousands of people, men and women, young and old, VIPS and commoners, on Thursday observed the fourth International Yoga Day in Tripura by practising yoga across the state -- both in rural areas and cities.

The main function was held at Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) headquarters in Khumulwng, 30 kms north of here.

Prominent among those who performed yoga asanas in separate events were Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Education and Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath, the council of Ministers, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Chief Executive Member of the TTAADC Radhacharan Debbarma, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Deodhar, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan and Director General of Police Akhil Kumar Shukla.

Addressing the media after the function, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said Prime Minister Narendra Modi sleeps for only four hours out of the 24 in a day and works the rest of the day, setting an exemplary example for others.

"Today (Thursday), Yoga Day was observed from Gram Panchayat level to state level including in all educational institutions," said Deb, who along with his family members performs various physical exercises at his official residence daily.

Union Minister Anupriya Patel said that due to Modi's remarkable initiative, yoga has become a popular event. "In 173 countries including China and the US yoga has become a well accepted performance.

"The present Central government had urged the people to make yoga a part of life for a healthy lifestyle."