A colourful start to National Yoga

CHANDIGARH, OCT 17
The 27th National Yoga Championship got off to a colorful start with the opening ceremony performed by the Adviser to Administrator UT, Chandigarh, Pradip Mehra, at the Sector 42 Badminton Hall here today. The event was marked by an impressive light and sound yoga demonstration by the participants.
Declaring the 27th National Yoga Championship open, Pradip Mehra stressed on the importance of yoga and complimented the India Yoga Federation for organizing the National Championship in the city. He also said that the Indian Yoga Federation was set up to guide and nurture the talent of players in this popular discipline.
Recently Indian Yoga Federation, headed by Haryana Chief Secretary Dharam Vir, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with World Indian Yoga Federation, USA to provide an opportunity to the players for getting advanced training under the guidance of international instructors.
The Adviser told audience that even the World Health Organization has recognized yoga therapeutic utility in psychosomatic illness like diabetes, asthma, hypertension. He paid his gratitude to saints like Swami Vivekananda, Shri Aurobindo, Swami Daya Nand and Swami Shiva Nand for helping in reviving and popularizes Indian philosophy including yoga and in end appreciates Swami Ram Dev role in creating awareness in the masses about the utility of Yoga. "
Pradip Mehra watched, with keen interest, the demonstration by the players. More than 500 participants representing 26 states and Union Territories are particiapting in the Nationals. Mehra was presented a memento of gratitude by the federation. This championship will continue till October 19. Sarban Singh,Commissioner and Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Haryana. Dr. D. P. Reddy, Principal Secretary, Punjab Govt., Sh. Langayan, Dhanpat Singh, R.S. Verma, Director Public Relations, UT, Chandigarh, S. D. Sharma, President of the Indian Federation and other distinguished guests were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Sarban Singh said that Haryana was the first in the country which introduced Yoga Scheme in 1975 in Department of Sports and Youth Affairs in order to promote this ancient art among youths as well as common masses. He said that at present, there were 23 yoga coaches, one deputy director and one assistant director in the department who were especially working in implementing yoga programs in the State.