The three day International Yoga Fest: A Curtain Raiser for International Day of Yoga-2016 was inaugurated by the Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in New Delhi today. The Yoga Festival has been organized by the Ministry of AYUSH to sensitize the masses regarding the celebration of International Day of Yoga. Addressing the participants, Shri Shripad Naik said that Yoga is the greatest gift of this country to the entire mankind. Probably that is the reason why as many as 177 out of 193 UN Member States supported the idea of declaring 21st June as the International Day of Yoga , the Minister added.
The AYUSH Minister explained that in the past few decades, the health aspects of Yoga have become more popular. Yoga can play a great role in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases where conventional medicine is not having permanent or cost-effective solution, he said. Yoga is beneficial in problems related to working in high altitude areas, working in extreme climatic conditions and various stressful situations. Yoga can enhance the endurance among the sports person, the Minister elaborated.
Shri Shripad Naik said that Ministry of AYUSH is putting its best efforts to promote the science of Yoga as a healthcare system across the globe. He hoped that the efforts made by the Ministry will reach to the common people. He also hoped that the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga will be on an even larger scale this year as compared to last year and it will be a people’s program in a real sense. The Minister disclosed that the National level function on International Yoga Day is proposed to be held at Chandigarh to ensure large participation of people in the celebrations even though the states will be organizing their own state level functions on a grand scale.
Secretary AYUSH, Shri Ajit Sharan gave the highlights of the Yoga Festival and said that there will be many such events culminating into the International Yoga Day on 21st June, 2016. One such event is the Yoga Olympiad being organised by NCERT in view of the need to popularize Yoga among the youth. Dr. H. Nagendra, Chancellor, S-VYASA University, Bangalore and Chairperson of the Committee of Yoga Experts for International Yoga Day, highlighted the activities being planned for a grand celebration of the International Yoga Day and the efforts to introduce Yoga among youth and children with the help of Human Resource Development Ministry.
The AYUSH Minster released the Common Yoga Protocol DVD at the Festival ahead of the International Day of Yoga this year. He also visited the walk through exhibition on Yoga arranged by DAVP and Photo Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The inaugural program ended with the Yoga demonstration by Divyangs (differently abled persons) and dance performance by well known Odissi dancer Ms. Reela Hota. Representatives of key yoga institutions/organizations of the country were present on the occasion and expressed their views on the importance of Yoga in life.