DW BUREAU / Kurukshetra

Asserting that yoga is an "art of living", Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced that a five-minute yoga break will be introduced in all government offices along with a uniform yoga curriculum that will be implemented in all universities and colleges of the state. Saini was addressing a gathering at a state level programme marking the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at the Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra. The session was led by yoga guru Ramdev.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, state's AYUSH and Health Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao and MP Naveen Jindal were also present at the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was live broadcasted during the event for all the participants.

While more than one lakh people gathered at the sacred Brahma Sarovar for the state-level event, nearly 20 lakh participants joined yoga sessions held across 22 districts and 121 blocks of the state.

In his address, Saini said this year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," signifies that yoga is not just for individual well-being but for the welfare of all humanity.

"Yoga is just not a form of exercise but also an important science for living a healthy, happy, and peaceful life.

"Yoga is an art of living," he asserted, urging people to make it part of their lives.

On the occasion, the chief minister announced that to promote yoga research in universities, a 'Yoga Lekhak Protsahan Yojana' (Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme) will be launched, with outstanding authors to be honoured annually. Additionally, 100 new yoga and 'vyayamshalas' will be established this financial year. Currently, there are 883 vyayamshalas already operating in the state.

An international meditation hall will also be built at Shri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra, he said.

Saini further announced the introduction of a credit-based evaluation system for assessing students' yoga performance in all government schools.

A uniform yoga curriculum will also soon be implemented in all universities and colleges of Haryana, he added.

He said that yoga and naturopathy subjects will be recognised under the AYUSH, starting this year, with government registration of practitioners also commencing.

He further said experienced coaches will be appointed to strengthen yoga as a sport at the national level and to train athletes for international competitions.

Recruitment for 40 yoga instructors in the sports department will begin shortly, he added.

He also said from Saturday, a 5-minute 'yoga break' will be introduced in all government offices of Haryana to provide a stress-free work environment for employees.

Extending greetings on the 11th International Day of Yoga, Saini said the entire world is now embracing yoga, thanks to the efforts of saints, sages, and especially visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prime minister has restored yoga India's ancient legacy ?to the international stage and inspired millions with the slogan, 'Khelega Bharat, toh Khilega Bharat; Yoga ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz,' which has become a source of motivation for many, he said.

Saini expressed his gratitude to Yoga guru Ramdev, noting that he has connected individuals worldwide with ancient yoga practices, thus giving yoga a global identity.

He shared that activities related to yoga day began in Haryana as early as May 27, twenty-five days before the IDY. Various programmes were organised across the state, involving officers, employees, the general public, and religious and social organizations, transforming yoga day into a grand celebration.

"Today, Kurukshetra and all of Haryana have been immersed in yoga," he said.

On the occasion, yoga guru Ramdev said that yoga is the foundation of life, devotion, nature, and culture.

He recalled how Prime Minister Modi had strongly advocated for IDY in his very first address to the United Nations General Assembly.

As a result, in 2014, the UN passed a historic resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga with 177 countries supporting the proposal at that time.

"Today, more than 200 countries are embracing yoga, making this ancient practice a global way of life," he said.

(editor@dailyworld.in)