The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called for waging a war against the growing incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and urged the younger generation to shun sedentary lifestyle and undertake regular physical exercise to stay healthy.Addressing the gathering after participating in the Yoga Camp organized by the Patanjali Yogpeeth of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev in Hubbali today, he emphasized the need to transform movements such as the Fit India and yoga into people’s movements and make India a healthy and happy nation.With about 60 per cent of India’s population below the age of 35 years, Shri Naidu said that India was poised to realize a huge demographic dividend. “However, the need of the hour is for the youth to be healthy in a holistic manner”, he added.“Yoga is the cheapest medicine for your health”, he told the youth.Pointing out that the economic burden of non-communicable diseases in terms of lost productivity and expenses for treatment, among others, in India has been projected to amount to 6.2 trillion Dollars during the period of 2012-2030, he said that Yoga practice would have a beneficial effect on people, especially at a time when sharp rise in lifestyle diseases is being witnessed.
Talking about the impact of yoga on the world, Shri Naidu said that the massive participation of people from all over the world during the International Yoga Day celebrations annually was a testament to its global popularity.“Yoga is India’s greatest legacy and its most glorious gift to the world”, he said.Maintaining that practicing Yoga should not remain limited to International Yoga Day alone, he advised people to practice Yoga regularly. This will help in maintaining a balanced attitude in all situations, he added.Observing that the ever-mounting pressure, wayward lifestyle and changing food habits have resulted in youth suffering from physical and psychological disorders, Shri Naidu said, “We need a transformation in the way we live, in the way we think and in the way we interact with our fellow human beings and Mother Nature. I believe that Yoga will be a powerful tool to bring about the desired transformation in people who practice it regularly’’.He said that protection of nature and preservation of culture together would lead us to a better future.He complimented Baba Ramdev and the Patanjali Yogpeeth and many other yoga trainers and gurus, who have been making a great contribution towards making India healthy by popularizing Yoga and meditation.Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines, Shri Pralhad Joshi and others were present at the Yoga session conducted by Baba Ramdev Ji of Patanjali Yogpeeth.