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Steps on to include yoga in school curriculum: Vaithilingam

— Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy

A man demonstrating different asanas of yoga during the inauguration of the 16th International Yoga Festival in Puducherry on Sunday.

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam on Sunday said steps will be taken to make yoga part of the school curriculum as it would help in improving the quality of life of students.

Speaking at the 16th International Yoga Festival, which was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Govind Singh Gurjar, he said, “Our aim is to take yoga to schools. Already, yoga is being taught as an optional subject in a few schools. Efforts will be taken to include yoga as part of the school curriculum.” Introducing yoga would help in bringing mental strength for students, he noted.

The Chief Minister said the younger generation should be involved in yoga practice. “People in Puducherry are physically and educationally strong but the mental strength is very low. There is a lot of mental stress and yoga should be learnt to come out of it,” he said and pointed out that yoga festivals were government programmes only at Rishikesh and Puducherry.

He noted that only 10 per cent people were involved in yoga practice and insisted that this should be increased and more people should receive the benefits of yoga.

The Lt. Governor said the yoga festival established Puducherry as a peaceful and safe destination for national and international tourists in pursuit of peace and wellness.

He said yoga helped in improving the mind and body and was recognised as an alternative system of healing. “Yoga has been found to be effective in controlling hypertension and diabetes. It improves concentration and keeps the mind alert,” he observed.

Mr. Gurjar said inclusion of yoga as part of the school curriculum was under consideration.

“The growing awareness of the adverse side effects of drugs is making more people opt for yoga,” he noted.

Earlier, Member of Parliament M. Ramadass asked the Chief Minister to incorporate yoga in the educational curriculum in the next academic year.

“The Government of India has not recognised yoga as part of the curriculum in educational institutions. The Indian Olympic Association and Sports Authority of India have not recognised yoga as a sport. We will advise the Ministry of Health to propagate yoga on a larger scale,” he said.

He said people, especially politicians, were living in tension and yoga helped in easing tension and getting mental peace.

Secretary (Tourism) Cholleti Prabhakar said nearly 900 delegates have registered for the festival. Of this, 20 were from abroad and the rest from across the country.

Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary Naini Jayaseelan, Director of Tourism P. Mathew Samuel, Chairman of Puducherry Municipality B. Sridevi and Councillor Indira Somani were present on the occasion.

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