Yoga a complete science and art of living, says CM Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but a complete science and art of living that ensures a healthy, happy and peaceful life.

Speaking at the state-level event marking the 11th International Yoga Day at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, the Chief Minister urged people to embrace yoga in their daily lives. “Yoga is not only a form of exercise, but also a complete science behind a healthy, happy and peaceful life. Yoga is an art of living and we should adopt it in our life,” he said.

The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 1 lakh people participating in Kurukshetra itself, while nearly 20 lakh joined sessions across 22 districts and 121 blocks of Haryana.

“Kurukshetra, the land of the Gita, Karma, and Knowledge, holds deep spiritual significance. The entire world is adopting yoga and the credit goes to our saints, sages and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reestablished the knowledge of yoga, which has long been an identity of our country, at the global level,” Saini said.

The theme this year, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects yoga’s role in promoting collective well-being and harmony, the CM added.

On the occasion, Saini announced the establishment of an international meditation hall at Shri Krishna AYUSH University and the launch of a Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme to promote academic research. “Outstanding yoga authors will be honoured annually,” he said.

He also announced the setting up of 100 new Yoga evam Vyayamshalas this fiscal (883 already functional), a credit-based evaluation system for students’ yoga performance in all government schools, a uniform yoga curriculum across universities and colleges in Haryana, recognition of yoga and naturopathy under AYUSH, along with practitioner registration, recruitment of 40 yoga instructors and appointment of national-level coaches and introduction of a 5-minute ‘yoga break’ in all state government offices.

Yoga guru Ramdev, who led the session, said, “Yoga is the foundation of life, devotion, nature and culture. Countries across the world are embracing yoga, making this ancient practice a global way of life.”

During the programme, the CM also released three Patanjali Yogpeeth booklets on Ramdev’s life and a yoga protocol guide prepared by the Haryana Yog Aayog.

Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, AYUSH and Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, MP Naveen Jindal and other dignitaries also attended the event.