Arvind Kejriwal government may introduce yoga in Delhi schools

New Delhi: On the eve of International Yoga Day, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that his government will consider introducing yoga in schools. Mr Kejriwal was speaking on the sidelines of the yoga day celebrations organised in Connaught Place.

“It (introducing yoga in schools) will be a good idea. I will speak to Manish Sisodia about it,” he said. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had recently said that yoga should not be made the issue of political debate or fetching votes.

When Mr Kejriwal was quizzed about it, he said, “Yoga is a good thing. Everyone should practise it.”

At Connaught Place, Mr Kejriwal struck yogic postures in perfect coordination with Delhi lieutenant- governor Anil Baijal. Mr Kejriwal’s and Mr Baijal’s syncronised yogic postures were in stark contrast to their working equation, which is marked by a running battle over issues of jurisdiction, one that has reached the doorstep of the judiciary.

It was perhaps fitting that Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu, who was captured performing asanas in the same frame, told reporters at the venue that yoga should not be considered “political.” “Yoga is not political and it is not religious. It is a traditional Indian art and has been practised in the country from times immemorial,” he said.

Mr Kejriwal had participated in the first Yoga Day celebrations at Rajpath along with his deputy Manish Sisodia. Then L-G Najeeb Jung was also present but in a different enclosure and the two had not exchanged pleasantries.

Meanwhile, various colleges and universities in Delhi-NCR organised yoga camps to mark International Yoga Day.

JNU also joined the celebrations as a large section of students and faculty members flocked to its convention centre to collectively try out a few asanas. Speaking on the occasion, the vice- chancellor advised students, faculties and their family members to practise yoga on a daily basis to ensure better health.

The JNU administration started conducting its mass yoga sessions on its premises since June 17 between 6 and 8 am with over 1,000 members from wide circles registering for it.

During the four days, various workshops, essay and debate competitions were conducted.

The VC had tweeted, “Huge participation of JNU community. Let Yoga make us good human beings. We were blessed by the presence of Brahmakumaris during International Yoga Day celebrations at JNU. Despite rain, huge participation.”