Intl Yoga Day: Governor leads from the front

Kuldeep Chauhan

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 19

State Governor Acharya Devvrat, Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living foundation and some other organisations are making efforts to make International Yoga Day on June 21 a statewide movement. But there is perceptible lack of enthusiasm on the part of the state government for the 50-minute yoga event is planned by the NDA government.

This year’s yoga protocol for International Yoga Day issued by the Ministry of Ayush and Alternative Medicines has prescribed 27 different ‘asnas’, seven ‘kriyas’and four ‘pranayamas’ that will be followed by ‘dhyana’and a concluding session that aims at cleaning “mind and environment”.

The Yoga Day will start with a prayer and conclude with Sankalp, a pledge from 7 am to 8 am throughout the country for promoting yoga.

The state Governor is leading from the front, attending and monitoring yoga training-cum-rehearsal sessions at Raj Bhawan. Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth’s state branch is organising the yoga event at 152 different places, including tribal Kinnaur, Keylong and Bharmour, while the Art of Living foundation is organising the yoga event in DAV schools and other private institutions to the yoga event a mass movement in the state.

Addressing the participants at a camp at Raj Bhawan today, Acharya Devvrat said, “Yoga is an important part of our rich culture and tradition and purifies mind and soul. The change in lifestyle by including yoga for good health and mind is needed as most diseases are caused by negative mindset which has been confirmed by modern science also”.

When asked about the response of the Congress government about the International Yoga Day, Karan Singh, state Ayurveda Minister, commented, “We have not fixed any camps or plans for celebrating the Yoga Day in the state. There are certain schools, NGOs and other outfits, which are participating in the event. The BJP is trying to make it a political event. Everybody is free to practice yoga or not do it”.

State in charge for Patanjali Yogpeeth Laxmikant Sharma said that the yogpeeth was organising the main yoga event at Vidya Sarasvati Mandir School, Vikasnagar. “Our instructors are holding training camps at 152 places, including Bhawanagar, Reckong Peo, Chango, Kaza and Keylong and Bharmour across the state”.

Art of Living foundation member B S Thakur said the main event would be organised at DAV school, New Shimla. “We are training students and common public for the Yoga Day”, he added.