Lack of initiative by health authorities irks yoga experts

Avneet kaur

Jalandhar, June 18

With just three days to go for International Yoga Day, the world is gearing up to celebrate the fourth International Day of Yoga on June 21. In Jalandhar, however, yoga has to transcend a long journey before reaching every household and the health authorities’ priority list. The ground reality here remains what it was four years ago —lack of initiative and infrastructure.

Schools and colleges are yet to introduce yoga as a formal subject in their Physical Education Department.

While, many residents practice yoga as their daily routine, and the art has become very popular in the town, there is no provision to organise regular yoga camps by the district administration. There is no all-weather community hall or a centre where people in the city can practise yoga for free. With over 60 per cent of the total 446 parks lying in a dilapidated condition, yoga has remained a dream for many.

In 2015, thousands of people had gathered in the National capital to mark the first International Day of Yoga, followed by a mega show in Chandigarh, the subsequent year. Even last year the Yoga day was celebrated with much fanfare, however, it has remained a one-day game, said city-based yoga expert Yogi Gurudev.

Gurudev, who runs a renowned yoga centre, Aanand Sadhna Kendra, here, shared his concerns regarding the ignorance of administration and government towards the ancient art. “I have conducted many workshops and camps across the country in different states. Even foreigners at many places show keen interest in yoga. With time the response of people towards yoga has changed, people now-a-days are very much into the art, he claimed.

An increased awareness through electronic and social media has motivated people to opt for yoga as it remains the only exercise which doesn’t cause any side effects in the body. The state government should make efforts so that more people can learn the art. “An average yoga trainer can earn Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month by private coaching and many yoga trainers in the city are providing training to over six to 50 people every day,” said Gurudev. The government must tap employment opportunities in this sector.

Another yoga expert Kamal Aggarwal who is linked with Bhartiya Yog Sanstha said, “The popularity of yoga has hit an all time high in the city. But there is no denying the fact that it has been possible due to some organizations, NGO’s and other linked bodies who are disseminating the benefits of yoga to people.