Education & Training News

Open House: What steps should be taken by the government and civic bodies to promote yoga? : The Tribune India

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Nothing concrete done to promote the practice

With the changing times, marketing is playing a major role in all spheres of life. Almost each day of the year is celebrated after some profession, courtesy latest marketing techniques. Once it was just International Health Day and now it is divided into Heart Day, Asthma Day and so on. The significance of the day is overlapped by marketing message that it carries. The day is not far when on similar lines, Teachers’ Day would have further sub-categories such as Science Teachers’ Day, History Teachers’ Day, English Teachers’ Day etc. International Yoga Day which falls on June 21, is the result of efforts made by the PM at UNO. Yoga is a part of our ancient science and culture. It is a nature based practice which helps us remain mentally and physically fit and healthy. The significance of celebrating yoga day is to make people aware of its benefits. But the reality does not match our intentions. The other day, The Tribune carries a report with headline “Yoga coaches’ selection under scanner”, which further said the Haryana Government is giving preference to candidates with 21-day online training or PT teachers with two-day training in comparison with graduate and post-graduate from National Institute of Sports, Patiala, for appointment as yoga teachers in schools. This clearly proves that on such occasions, only lip service is given in regard to significance of the day whereas in reality, such noble causes are ignored. The state government had also promised to open “vyayamshalas” in 6,500 villages and yoga teachers would be appointed there but nothing concrete had been done in the past five years. Our leaders instead of playing in the hands of marketing experts should work for the particular cause. They should follow what John C Maxwell said: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Naresh Johar


Docs should suggest patients to adopt yoga

For better mental and physical health, yoga is essential especially for elderly people. Meditation exercises are a blessing for people of all ages. To encourage more people to adopt yoga in their daily lives, mass awareness campaigns should be organised about its benefits by preachers at yoga centres. The government and civic bodies should set new modern yoga centres. They should profess benefits of yoga through their websites, banners, posters and media. Also, doctors in government hospitals should be directed to suggest yoga to their patients.

Sanjay Chawla


Regular classes should be held for kids

By practising yoga postures regularly, our muscles become flexible and it strengthens our inner immune system too. Yoga not only helps cure physical pain but also emotional pain. It helps people develop a sound mind by practicing mind exercises and meditation. To promote yoga, the government and civic bodies can take steps by teaching students yoga in schools and colleges. Yoga day should be celebrated every year in every school and college to encourage students to adopt and practice yoga.

Naunidh Kaur


Govt must fund sessions for students

Yoga is an ancient Indian technique. It is not only the best way to enhance well being but also gives us mental and physical strength. Yoga gives us a chance and time to explore ourselves. Although, it can be easily seen that awareness about yoga is increasing but still we need to make people aware about the benefits of this great technique. The awareness about the same can and should be started at the school level. Yoga day may be celebrated in all schools but the practice of yoga should not only stay limited to these celebrations but must also become a part of every child’s life. This habit and technique should be instilled in students. At the college level, the same awareness may be created. Government should fund such programmes at school and college level. The media, including TV and Internet, can be effectively used to create awareness. With this, the technique of yoga can be promoted.

Parwinder Kaur


Civic bodies must start free classes

On International Day of Yoga, it would be prudent to take a look at the science of yoga. An ancient Indian philosophy, yoga is one of the treasures that were given to the world by this ancient land called Bharat. Defined as the science of bringing together human and divine, essentially yoga is the training of the body and mind to stay healthy. But instead of projecting yoga on scientific basis, it appears that politicians are using it as a religious/political tool. Baba Ramdev is commercialising this art of health fitness and it is being propagated through yoga that Hindutva is the best choice for humanity, and is a gift to India and the world. Yoga can yield excellent results if it is made a compulsory part of our education curriculum right from the school education. In fact, a good part of our sports funds should be dedicated for the yoga expert teachers. It should be recognised as a sport and should rather replace the battering sport called boxing, which hurts victor as well the loser. It is hoped that the momentum gained on UN yoga day is not lost and frittered away like many other campaigns. Yoga should rather be adopted as a daily ritual and not given any religious and/or political shade. Municipal Corporations should initiate free-for-all yoga classes in Amritsar and other cities. Such yoga classes can be conducted at all properties of MCs, including schools, marriage halls, ward offices and any open public places such as parks. Yoga classes should be conducted during early morning hours, for which participants would only need to bring their mats or required equipment. With the world now realising the power of yoga, it is time for India and Punjab too to make good use of its own profound legacy.

LJ Singh


Set up yoga varsities in every state

Both allopathy and ayurveda have found morning walks and yoga asanas as an effective anti-dot to the modern-day lifestyle forms of illness ranging from depression to obesity affecting every strata of society. Though various groups and NGOs hold yoga sessions to spread awareness but efforts are needed at all levels, so that every individuals is able to reap its benefit. To begin with, yoga should be introduced as a subject in the syllabus by educational institutions. A Yog University should be set up in every state to produce trained yoga instructors. The government should establish a yoga centre in each district. Yog is not merely a set of physical and breathing exercises but should be practiced and adopted as a way of life. Old dictum of ‘early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’ aptly fits into today’s world ridden with multiple diseases due to our apathy towards yogic traditions in our daily life routine. The government and local civic authorities should observe yoga day at a large scale and make it a grand success.

Anil Vinayak


Morning, evening sessions need of hour

To encourage people to take to yoga, making people aware of its benefits is the only way out. There is a need to organise various public workshops so that people are drawn towards it. Moreover, one can also initiate campaigns of yoga in the morning or evening in their surroundings or in mohallas. It is well said that charity begins at home. So, encourage more individuals to adopt yoga. The government can also take some steps such as making yoga compulsory in schools and educational institutes to promote it. A day should be fixed under physical education period and children must be explained about its benefits.

Ekamnoor Singh


QUESTION

As we observe International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, what steps should the Punjab Government initiate to combat rampant drug abuse in the state and how youths can be apprised of its harmful effects and repercussions?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (June 23)



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