BENGALURU: AMID showers early on Tuesday, about 10,000 people from all walks of life celebrated the second International Yoga Day at Sri Kanteerava Stadium. The programme was organised by the state government. The participation of the chief minister and cabinet ministers along with Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu added colour to the event.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Don’t associate caste or religion with yoga. It is an exercise for the mind and body. As previously announced that yoga will be made mandatory in schools and colleges, the government will implement it gradually.” He added, “There is an assumption that yoga can’t be learnt without a guru. This is false. It can be learnt using various mediums. I am diabetic and yoga has helped in controlling sugar levels.”
Citing the example of Honnappa Nayak, the yoga teacher of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, Siddaramaiah said, “He is 84 years old and is very active because he practices yoga.”
Health Minister U T Khader said, “It is observed that these days, youngsters are addicted to smoking and drinking. They should cultivate good habits like yoga instead.”
Bipasha Basu added, “Yoga rejoices the body and the mind and helps you focus.” She expressed her surprise over the turnout at the event where she demonstrated yoga postures.
Union ministers Ananth Kumar, D V Sadananda Gowda, state minister T B Jayachandra, D K Shivakumar, Rajasthan MP C P Choudary and IAS officials were among the participants.
Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee also took time out for a yoga session organised by a city-based group.
An event organised on the Metro boulevard on M G Road saw the participation of 17 visually impaired people. To help BMTC staff cope with pressure, Yo2Yoga group conducted a 15 minute camp for BMTC staff at Majestic bus stand, Shantinagar and Yeshwantpur.
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