Chennai: With just 25 days to go for the International Yoga Day, the Centre has planned to showcase the pride of India from 10 cities including Chennai on June 21 and the main event is likely to be held in Chandigarh. Though it may be a repeat of the first day observed last year, the event will highlight the “soft power strategy” of the Narendra Modi government instrumental in ensuring the UN to announce the celebration of International Day of Yoga on June 21. To ensure success, the Centre has identified the yoga centres and even corporate firms in TN that would join the nation in holding mega demonstrations.
Apart from Chennai, demonstration would be held in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow and NE Region. A month-long session to train the participants by experts has begun and to ensure greater participation, the government has sought the cooperation of universities, colleges and schools, say sources.
Further, in an apparent bid to thwart any attempts to kick up controversy or avoid causing apprehensions among the minorities, the Centre had clarified that “Om” chanting is not mandatory while practicing Yoga.The Ayush ministry which launched an exclusive portal http:// idy.nhp. gov.in/ has also brought out a “Common Yoga Protocol” in English and Hindi for International Yoga Day with a 45-minute schedule that includes yoga postures, meditation and chanting.
The protocol contains chanting of “Om” and Vedic mantras.
The session, the protocol says, begins with a prayer in any meditative posture with namaskara mudra. The mantra to be recited during the session was taken from the Rigveda. But then this is part of Yoga, it was pointed out.
