Yoga to be taught in Madhya Pradesh schools

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that Yoga would be a part of the school curriculum in the State from the next academic session. He also announced that Vivekanand Jayanti on January12 would be observed as Yoga Diwas from 2009..

The Chief Minister was speaking at a Surya Namaksar programme organized by the School Education Department at the TT Nagar stadium on Saturday. Chouhan joined the students in performing Surya Namaskar and Pranayam on the occasion.

Underling the importance of Surya Namaskar, the Chief Minister said that it was a compact Yoga exercise for physical and mental fitness. A healthy body and mind were a must to do anything good in life he added. He said that Yoga was evolved by ancient Indian seers for good physical, mental and spiritual health. In view of its relevance the Madhya Pradesh Government was making all efforts to promote and popularize it among people, particularly the younger generation.

The Chief Minister also talked to the children who participated in the mass Surya Namaskar. He enquired from them whether they would adopt it as a regular exercise, to which they replied in the affirmative. They also told him that it was a very good experience for them.

Vice President of Madhya Pradesh Jan Abhiyan Parishad Anil Dave said that Surya Namaskar was being well received in the State. This yogic exercise increases body resistance and stimulates the mind. Dave said that the programme has been organised with the cooperation of the Vivekanand Kendra, in Kanyakumari.