BENGALURU: While Bengalureans showed huge enthusiasm to participate in events organised as part of the first International Day of Yoga, noted Kannada writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa deplored it as an event to turn yoga into a business.
Speaking at a function to present the Shantaveri Gopala Gowda award to senior journalist S V Jayasheela Rao, he said, “Yoga in ancient times was related more to the soul, not the body. Yoga was an ideal alternative to luxurious (bhoga) living. I am not against yoga. Those who want to do yoga, can do it. But what we are seeing is more of body show. It is because of commercialisation.” Baraguru Ramachandrappa termed the launch of International Day of Yoga on Sunday as the launch of yoga business at the global level.
“Today, everything is being turned into a business. Agriculture, education, health and religions have become businesses. Today (Sunday), the business of yoga has been launched,” he aded. Driving home his point, Ramachandrappa said that about 500 yoga-related products have hit the market in the recent months and 5,000 yoga studios.
No Controversy Please: Gowda
JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda declined to comment about International Yoga Day celebrations. “Those who want to do Yoga, let them do it. Those who are not interested could keep away. There is no need to raise a controversy about it,” he said.
Other Events
At Central College Cricket ground, 2,638 NCC cadets of NCC Directorate of Karnataka and Goa performed asanas. The event has been recorded for submission to the Limca Book of Records
BESCOM organised a yoga camp for its linemen and staff at Sringar Palace Garden, Badar Nivas, Palace Ground
Greenwood High, a school in Sarjapur Road area, clubbed the celebrations with that of Fathers’ Day and invited fathers along with their children to take part in the celebrations