Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced a series of measures aimed at promoting yoga across the state, including introducing the subject in school curricula and making it a compulsory component in state government recruitment examinations.
Addressing a state-level event in Panchkula on the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Saini said yoga would be included in the curriculum for students from Classes 3 to 9 from the next academic session.
The chief minister said yoga has already been introduced in the Class 8 curriculum for the current academic year and that expanding it to other classes would contribute to students' physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Saini also announced that questions related to yoga would become a mandatory part of examinations conducted by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) and the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC). Necessary changes would be made to the examination policy to implement the decision, he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen yoga education, the state government will provide special training to physical training instructors and other teachers in schools.
The chief minister further announced that a state-level institute dedicated to naturopathy and yoga would be established at Morni in Panchkula district.
In addition, yoga will be integrated into the five Centres of Excellence currently being set up at universities across Haryana. Sports departments in higher education institutions will also be renamed as Departments of Sports and Yoga, while yogasanas will be recognised as a sports discipline under the state's sports policy.
Calling yoga an invaluable gift from India's ancient cultural heritage, Saini said the practice not only helps maintain physical fitness but also promotes mental calmness, positive thinking and discipline.
He urged people to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and contribute towards building a healthier and more aware society.
(With agency inputs from PTI)
