UGC asks colleges to hold fest ahead of Yoga Day

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all its affiliated universities and colleges to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day, preparations for which need to be started in the current academic year itself. Universities and colleges have been asked to organise a Yoga Fest in April/May in the ongoing academic year to sensitise students and faculty members on the importance of yoga as well as ready them for the Yoga Day.

The notice issued by Dr Jaspal Sandhu, secretary, UGC, says that following discussions on the plan of action for celebrating International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “emphasised the need for making yoga more appealing to the youth so that they can imbibe this rich cultural heritage and their youthful energy could be effectively channelised in nation-building.”

Towards this end, Dr Sandhu has asked universities and colleges to organise a Yoga Fest over two-three days during April/May 2016 where students could be sensitised about the strengths and health benefits of yoga in promoting physical, mental and spiritual health. “Students may also be trained in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) to be performed on International Yoga Day which is available on the website of the ministry of ayush. The instructional booklet on CYP is also available for the institutions to follow,” said Dr Sandhu.

Elaborating on making the fest successful, Dr Sandhu said the institutions could conduct other activities like musical and cultural programmes based on yoga, sensitisation of the youth about the career prospects in yoga, etc.

While welcoming the UGC’s initiatives, principals in the city have said that it would not be possible for them to conduct the fest as exams will be underway in April and May and most students and faculty members will be on vacation. “We will have to organise the fest after college reopens in June but before June 21 so as to abide by the UGC’s order,” said a principal from a suburban college.