During the inaugural function of the Yoga Day, over 250 million people from 192 countries, including the Arab world, participated in this global event. In India alone nearly 200 million people are reported to have participated; while the number was almost 20 million in the US. Some 30,000 people in colorful dresses performed yoga at Times Square in New York. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also performed yoga and meditated under the guidance of Sri Ravi Shankar.In a major yoga event in New Delhi, Modi performed 35 asanas (yogic postures) along with 36,000 participants from 84 nationalities. Those present were school children, officials of various ministries, National Cadet Corps cadets, army personnel and diplomats. India was able to enlist two feats in the Guinness World Records Book in a single day.
Significantly, yoga day was also celebrated by Indian soldiers at all of their major stations. Indian Navy performed yoga in oceans from Mediterranean to the South China Sea.
Yoga appeals to all because it rejuvenates and improves the strength of the body. It helps stretch the muscles and brings flexibility. If the yoga at physical level ends up in meditation, it brings relaxation through harmonious relation between body, mind and soul. Yoga sprouted roots in the spiritual soil of South Asia thousands of years ago, but it began to transform life of the people all over the world only in last few decades.
Numerous scientific studies have confirmed that yoga helps in preventing and curing diseases, if practiced properly. Thanks to the development of science and technology, it has become easier to measure health benefits of yoga. Until 40 years ago, Americans were not aware of yoga, but now it is immensely popular there. It has become US $27-billion industry in the US as over 20 million people have become practitioners. Interestingly, of the total yoga practitioners in the US, 83 percent are women.
In last few decades, yogic masters like Dhirendra Brahmachari, Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev gave a new lease of life to yoga in India. There is a growing realization among people that yoga is the best means to energize and de-stress the body and mind. In view of its benefits, many schools in this country included yoga as part of educational curriculum. Currently, some 50 colleges in the country offer courses on yoga.
India's Human Resource Development Ministry is now working to make yoga an integral part of physical education in the central government schools for which course material and syllabus for classes VI-X have been developed. Plan is afoot to train yoga teachers on a massive scale so that they could teach this to the students. Besides, specific diploma, under graduate and post graduate courses on yoga would also be introduced in various universities. An effort is being made to standardize yoga techniques in the country.
Significantly, the Hariyana state government wants to develop itself as world's capital of yoga and Ayurveda. Towards this end, it plans to upgrade Shri Krishna Ayurvedic Government College into AYUSH University. Also, a world class Yoga and Naturopathy Institute is likely to be set up. Yoga training will be performed in schools, colleges and universities. Besides, Yogshalas (the place to train and practice yoga) will be set up in each village in the state. Altogether 1,000 Yogshalas will be established in the state in the first phase. All the Primary Health Centers in the state would have a unit of AYUSH. World's first herbal forest would be grown in the state. Other states in India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have also been eager to promote yoga.
However, certain Muslim organizations in India have reservations in chanting the sacred Hindu sound of "OM" in course of yoga. They are uncomfortable with yogic posture like Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) which requires one to bow before the Sun God. This is so because Islam is monotheistic religion in which followers bow only to Allah. Similarly, certain Christian organizations are also uncomfortable with yoga for the reason that it has its roots in Hinduism. Nevertheless, many Muslims participate in yoga events.
India has used yoga as soft power to bring peace and stability in the world. In fact, it is a cultural export of India. Yoga appeals to the world as at its foundation are science and philosophy, rather than religion. But it will not be enough to celebrate such an important event for only a day. In fact, it must be taught and practiced throughout the year in schools, colleges, universities, banks, corporations, and institutions at the global level. Nepal should not remain behind in this global race for the promotion of yoga.
The author is Professor of Economics and Executive Director of Centre for Economic and Technical Studies in Nepal
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