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Yoga in school curriculum likely

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Opening: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, MLA S.P. Sivakumar and yoga exponent Meenakshidevi Bhavanani at the inauguration of the 15th International Yoga Festival in Puducherry on Friday.

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday said the Government was taking steps to teach yoga in schools. Speaking after inaugurating the 15th International Yoga Festival here, he said yoga would be included as part of the physical training currently being provided to children.

Mr. Rangasamy, who released a CD on ‘yoga for stress’, said the practice was a way to keep both body and mind healthy, and that it helped reduce stress and tension. He said the yoga festival also served as a tourism attraction and brought both national and international participants to Puducherry. He also released picture postcards brought out by the Department of Tourism and special T-shirts for the yoga festival.

Later, speaking to The Hindu, Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said the department was thinking of bringing out specific yoga packages for tourists and others interested in learning the “science of living.” “We are thinking about it and may put such packages in place next year. We may be having our own staff teaching yoga to the guests,” he added.

MLA S.P. Sivakumar, Tourism Secretary T.M. Balakrishnan, Tourism Director Mohammed Mansoor and yoga exponent Meenakshidevi Bhavanani were present on the occasion. The festival, which is on till February 7, is being held at two venues – the beach and Subalakshmi Kalyana Mandapam. The competitions, covering three categories of participants, would be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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