Few takers for Yoga classes PM Modi wanted for government employees

IndiaToday.in  New Delhi, April 1, 2015 

 

Not many central government employees turned up as was expected in the special Yoga camp organised by the central government's Department of Personnel and Training on Wednesday.

 

The department admitted that despite an invitation to all government employees and their dependents in New Delhi, only 100 of the 500 expected participants showed up.

 

The Yoga sessions, scheduled on all week days except Sundays or gazetted holidays, are being held in association with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in the national capital.

 

One of the key announcements in the NDA government's first full budget this year was the government's decision to accord a special status to Yoga, categorising its promotion as a charitable activity.

 

In December last year, less than three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the idea, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

 

However, in sharing Modi's love for yoga, his party colleagues have also created embarrassing situations for the prime minister. Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi had said Yoga can help in bringing down incidents of rape in the country. He also said Muslims do Yoga five times a day - a reference to their prayers - and even called Prophet Mohammad as the greatest "Yogi".