BENGALURU: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty appreciated the celebration of the International Day of Yoga and said that bringing the focus back on something that belongs to India is good. She was speaking at the first International Yoga Day celebrations, organised by Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) and Shwaasa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.
“In the recent past, there have been debates and articles about the acceptance of yoga in different communities. However, I would like to assert that this is not the case. Yoga is for the health of everyone. It really would not have been an international event if that were the case. It is applaudable that the focus is once again on yoga, a science that belongs to India,” said Shetty.
She added that she had produced a DVD on yoga as she wanted to bring awareness. “Initially, there was a notion that yoga was meant only for the elderly. There were times when the youth went only to gyms, with the intention of building their bodies by lifting weights and doing other exercises. I wanted to change this perception, which is why I produced a DVD on the same. I credit yoga, which I consider a science more than a form of exercise, for my health. It should be inculcated among children for the betterment of the future generation,” she added.
Thousands of yoga enthusiasts descended on Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday to take part in the celebrations. Apart from Shilpa Shetty, the event witnessed the participation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and model Shubra Aiyappa, apart from other ministers and government officials. Voices of the enthusiasts rent the air as they performed different asanas in unision, guided by the founder of Shwaasa, Vachanananda Swami.
The intermittent drizzle at the stadium did not deter the crowd of over 2,000 which comprised students, elders, NCC cadets and others.
Schools in the city also participated with about 500 students joining in the celebrations.
“It has been a very nice experience, and I feel fresh after the yoga session. We do have yoga in our school too, but doing yoga with so many people was a new experience. I got to see Shilpa Shetty as well,” quipped Santosh Lakshman, a Class 7 student of Holy Saint Public School.
Siddaramaiah, while addressing the audience, said that inculcating yoga in one’s lifestyle leads to a sea of positive change in the individual.
“It will be helpful, especially in the current times, when there is a lot of pressure from different quarters. It also leads to greater immunity,” he said.
Session stops for cm
The crowd performed yoga for an hour, before the arrival of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. As soon as he arrived, along with other ministers, the session was stopped mid-way. Only after Siddaramaiah took a seat did the session commence, along with the participation of different ministers
Shilpa Shetty Wows Crowd
Shilpa Shetty, while addressing the audience, spoke a few sentences in Kannada, which drew a thunderous applause. “I am proud to be a ‘Karnataka Girl’. I can speak in Tulu, but I know very less of Kannada, which my father speaks fluently. I have acted in three Kannada movies, and I am looking forward to be a part of many more. However, right now, I am busy taking care of my son. Once he gets to an age when he can go to school for long hours, I will definitely be a part of a Kannada film production,” she said. The actress also took a selfie with the crowd. Shetty added that different asanas work on developing different parts of the body. “However, the Surya Namaskar blends the individual’s mind, body and soul. Nothing is more important than one’s health,” she added.
