1 lakh people to be engaged to make Yoga Day mega event in Chandigarh

To make International Yoga Day on June 21 a mega event, the UT administration is planning to involve around 1 lakh people, especially youngsters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to perform yoga ‘asanas’ along with over 35,000 students and residents at the main venue.

Sources say the Ayush ministry has approved the Capital Complex as the final venue and the PMO is expected to give final nod soon.

Over 70,000 people are expected to perform yoga at other venues, including green belts, hotel banquet halls and community centres, across the city. Sources say over `9 crore is expected to be spent on the event.

UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal said, “Various yoga organisations and resident welfare associations have been roped in to make it a successful event. We plan to involve more youngsters, and want the residents to adopt the culture of yoga in the city.”

He added as many as 1,000 trainers, to be provided by yoga institutes, will train residents, school and college students, and all those who want to be a part of the mega event.

The training sessions will initially be held at Yoga College in Sector 19, while after May 15, several other centres will also provide the training about the common yoga protocol to be followed during the event. The residents will be informed regarding the training sessions through public notices. Big LCD screens will be put up at all major venues. Those participating in the event will also get t-shirts and yoga mats.

The city hotel industry and traders have also been asked to use their banquet halls for holding the yoga events on June 21. They will soon submit a plan to the UT soon. They have also been asked to provide free refreshments to the participants. Hotel and Restaurant Industry Association of Chandigarh president Arvinder Pal Singh said, “It’s a good initiative, and everybody should do their bit to make it a successful event. The guests at our hotels will be encouraged to perform yoga.”

Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman, the Federation of Sectors Welfare Association (FOSWAC), said, “As many as 75 resident welfare associations, which are a part of the association, will hold the yoga events in different sectors. The administration will provide trainers to us.”

The home secretary on Tuesday held a meeting with members of the yoga institutes, Isha Yoga, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Art of Living, and others, while adviser Parimal Rai will meet UT officials on Wednesday.

Three places — the Capitol Complex, Sector 1, Rajendra Park, Sector 1, and Botanical Garden — were shortlisted during the last meeting of the officials, and the details were sent to the Prime Minister’s office to finalise the venue.

‘PROTOCOL YOGA’ TO BE FOLLOWED

A proper protocol will be followed at the main venue on International Yoga Day. The ministry of Ayush will send a CD of ‘asanas’ to be performed at the venues. Art of Living coordinator Madhu said, “Our organisation will apprise our certified teachers about the protocol. These certified teachers will further train residents. All yoga activities will be held for free.”