QUEEN’S ROAD: Bengaluru is gearing up to celebrate World Yoga Day in a big way this Sunday.Yoga organisations, schools, colleges and hospitals are joining a mass event co-ordinated across the world. The Central government’s Ministry of Ayush has issued a booklet titled Common Yoga Protocol with guidelines to synchronise the event.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recently adopted a resolution to observe International Day of Yoga on June 21 every year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the idea in his first address at the UNGA.
“Yoga is a precious hidden diamond, but now it is out thanks to World Yoga Day,” said Akshar, founder of the Akshar Power Yoga Academy, which has organised a session at Manpho Convention Centre,
Hebbal. The Art of Living Foundation is organising Yoga Day sessions across 19 venues where 18,000 people are expected to participate. At Agara High School on Sarjapur Road, 1,000 children are doing a session. Shwaasa Trust and Karnataka Olympic Association have initiated a mega event at the Kanteerava Stadium, according to Vachananand Swami, founder of the trust. Its yoga workshop will have 15,000 participants. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the event, with movie star Shilpa Shetty as the chief guest.
This ‘Yogathon’ begins at the Vidhana Soudha at 7.30 am and concludes at the Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium. Achievers will be presented Yoga Ratna awards.
Another group is coming together to host a yoga festival at the UB City Amphitheatre. Yoga schools are organising classes, pranayama and chanting workshops, music and dance performances, and a sante (fair) to sell yoga accessories and organic products. The cafes at UB City plan to serve a healthy brunch to mark Yoga Day.
Bengaluru will also host the first world Yoga championship at Sri Kanteerava Indoor Stadium. The programme is being organised by SGS International Yoga Foundation College and Research Centre and the State government’s Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the programme too.
The championship is open to all and will have nine categories (for men and women), with prizes for winners.
Vivekananda Yoga Mission is conducting free health camps for children and teaching them yoga every day at Sharada Math, Halasuru, according to Adiguru Swami Rajananda, founder, Vivekananda Yoga Mission.
Schools and colleges
All schools and colleges are taking part in World Yoga Day, said V P Satish, Deputy Director, Yoga and Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga Unani and Homeopathy (Ayush) Department.
Bangalore University has rescheduled the reopening of its colleges to June 19 to enable the students to participate in the event at Kanteerava Stadium. “We have sent a circular to all colleges,” said K K Seethamma, Registrar, Bangalore University.