Lok Sabha Question No. 4626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-23
Subject: Yoga Teachers in Indian Missions
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: B. SREERAMULU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH)

LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4626 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD MARCH, 2018

## YOGA TEACHERS IN IND IAN MISSIONS

4626. SHRI B. SRIRAMULU: SHRIMATI ANJU BALA: SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY,UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has appointed yoga teachers in Indian missions overseas to more Yoga teachers and yoga practitioners to popularise yoga across the world;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the budgetary allocation in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has choosen the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for recruitment and training of the Yoga Teachers for Indian Missions overseas;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other steps taken by the Government in expansion of Yoga in overseas countries ?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA, YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a) to (d): Yes. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR ) has intimated that they have appointed Teachers of Indian Culture (TICs) to Indian Missions & Posts abroad to teach Y Sanskrit and Vedas. The budgetary provision of Rs. 4.27 crores was made in 2017 - 18. They have also informed that ICCR has been promo ting the teaching of Yoga overseas through its Cultural Centres since 1980 by deploying yoga teachers in Indian Cultural Centres. Total 112 TICs been  posted  and  50  out  of  them  have  already  joined  their  respective  Missions/Posts. empanels teachers through a selection process involving demonstration and interviews. ICCR h conducted orientation for the yoga teachers deployed as TICs.

- (e) : Under Central Sector Scheme of International Cooperation (IC), the Ministry of AYUS undertakes  various  measure s  for  global  promotion  and  popularization  of  AYUSH  systems  of Medicine including Yoga. The Ministry deputes Yoga experts to participate in fairs/ work

organized  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  Ministry  of  External  Affairs,    Ministry  of  Cu Ministry o f Commerce, etc. and Indian Missions abroad for Yoga demonstration and lecture The Ministry sets up AYUSH Information Cells in the premises of the Indian Missions/IC Cultural Centres for dissemination of authentic information. As of now, 28 AYUSH Infor mation Cells have been set up in 25 Countries. The Ministry also organizes/ participates in Inte exhibitions/ conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ road shows/ trade fairs, etc. to have wid for international propagation of AYUSH including Yoga . To ensure credibility of knowledge and skills of yoga experts, the Ministry of AYUSH initiated  a  scheme  for  Voluntary  Certification  of  Yoga  Professionals.  The  scheme  aim certifying the competence level of the Yoga professionals to help t heir deployment within and outside the country. A Yoga college named 'India -China College of Yoga' has been established in the Yunnan Minzu University, China under the MoU signed between the University and the Indian Counc for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Ministry of AYUSH has deputed one out of two experts. ICCR with the support of Ministry of AYUSH, facilitate celebration of the Internat Day of Yoga through Indian Missions/Posts abroad by providing financial assistance for va activities including demonstrations, workshops, conferences, exhibitions etc.

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