It was a moment of pride to see the beautiful display of yoga at Rajpath to mark the first ever International Day of Yoga (“ >India stretches into the record books ”, June 22). The government of India and the various organisations that have played a part need to be congratulated for setting two Guinness World Records. Now that the celebrations are over, the AYUSH Ministry must ensure that yoga does not remain an occasion for just June 21.
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Margao, Goa
The day will go down in history as one which showcased the unifying force of the world’s oldest health and spiritual science in our lives. The credit goes to the efforts of the NDA government and the universal response to the event is a personal victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi (“
M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel, Andhra Pradesh
Transcending religion, region and race, people all over the world participated in huge numbers. This shows that yoga can form a common bond between peoples of the world for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam . Yoga has been shown to inculcate positive values in a person. For this, the necessity of practising yoga from an early age has been stressed. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to include yoga in the school syllabus is a laudable move. I hope that this decision will be implemented despite unsavory remarks made by some of his colleagues in the Congress against the BJP’s efforts to propagate yoga (“ >Opposition members stay away from Yoga Day event ”, June 22).
A.Gajanana,
Bengaluru
The Prime Minister practising asanas, and leading from the front, much to the astonishment and glee of everybody, is reminiscent of what the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, R. Gundu Rao, did after ‘cutting the tape’ to inaugurate the Sadashivanagar swimming pool. He dived into it to prove that he was adept in swimming. The Opposition has either a poor understanding of the soft power of yoga or was just playing politics.
H.P. Murali,
Bengaluru
There appears to have been much emphasis on pomp and splendour, which in a way devalued the concept of yoga. Yoga is not a physical exercise like practising a military drill, but is an exercise that combines with breath control and focussing and concentrating on some universal power. It appears to have been only a publicity gimmick and at a huge cost to public expenditure. Such money could be spent better in tiding over agrarian distress.
K.S. Srinivasan,
Tripunithura, Kerala
It was shocking to read the report, “ >Yoga is for lazy and rich, says Anjaneya ” (Some editions, June 18), which cited the views of the Karnataka Social Welfare Minister, H. Anjaneya. It appears that he bore malice towards the Central government. Yoga helps us in moments of ill-health and distress, which includes its ability to enhance mental strength. How can one forget how Pathanjali yoga was introduced to the rest of the world through the efforts of R.K. Karanjia, the founder-Editor of Blitz ?
I am 85 and began practising yoga on the advice of a friend. It has helped me keep good health and a good memory. One needs to thank Mr. Modi in getting the world to sit up and take note.
G.M. Gandhi,
Ballari, Karnataka
If Mr. Modi wishes to associate himself with the world as a friend, philosopher and guide through the promotion of yoga without any communal or jingoistic flavour, let him do so. There are those who are out to make a quick buck out of yoga by preying on the gullible and Mr. Modi himself has cautioned against commodifying its relevance. If yoga is an exercise to discipline the body and mind, let it be included with the list of other tested exercises practised across the globe without hype.
Victor Frank A.,
Chennai
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