Lok Sabha Question No. 1004 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: International Yoga Day
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Supriya Sadanand Sule, Manickam Tagore B, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe

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

(AYUSH)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1004 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INTERNATIONAL YOGA D AY

1004. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: DR.DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.: SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: DR.AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

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

- (a) whether the Sixth International Day of Yoga was celebrated in the country recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  propagate y g   in  boosting  immunity  to  fight against Corona Virus;
- (c) whether the Government has allocated any funds for research in yoga in view of Covid - 19 pandemic and if so, the details of funds allocated and achievement made in this regard;
- (d) the number of virtual/online yoga classes organized by the Government and the numb er of persons who have benefitted therefrom, State/UT -wise; and
- (e) whether there is a rise in number of youth trained in yoga thereby helping spread of yoga globally, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government topromote yoga in the country and worldwide?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a): Yes.As a part of observation of International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21 st June, 2020 this Ministry has reached out to people through digital media. Due to restrictions on mass gatherings arising from the contagious nature of COVID - 19, the theme for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2020 was adopted as 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family'.

The  Ministry  of  AYUSH  made  various  online  resources  available  on  its  digita platforms like the Yoga Portal and the social media handles like YouTube, Facebook, Twi and Instagram to provide ample opportunities for the people to learn Yoga from their home

The Ministry also organized the 'My Life, My Yoga (MLMY)' i.e. the Jeevan Yoga video blogging contest with attractive prizes for the winners and runners - up  in  association withIndian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in which contestants from 130 countr participated.

(b): Ministry of AYUSH has issued a document titled 'Guidelines for Yoga practitioners for COVID 19' for improving immunity.

The Ministry of AYUSH has launched a three -month awareness campaign on 'Ayush for Immunity' on 14.08.2020, with the objective of acquainting the people with the strengths of  various  Ayush - based  solutions  including  Yoga  for  enhancing  immunity  and  preventing diseases.

- (c):   There is no separate fund allocated by the Ministry of AYUSH for research in Yoga in view of Covid - 19 pandemic.
- (d):    The  Ministry  of  AYUSH  has  intensified  its  digital  and  online  activities  fo Education  and  Training  to  the  aspirants  and  practitioners  of Yoga  through  its  three autonomous bodies namely Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi, Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN), New Delhi and National Institute  of  Naturopathy  (NIN),  Pune.  Being  openly  disseminated online,  the  number  of beneficiaries of the same is not maintained.

O nline discourses on Yoga by prominent Yoga gurus and experts were organized as part of the promotional campaign for IDY 2020. From April to 15 th July, 2020, MDNIY had conducted Online classes for the general public, wherein around 5 lakh people benefitted.

To facilitate training from home, daily telecast of the Common Yoga Protocol (CY was  organized  on  DD  Bharti  for  making  more  and  more  people  familiar  with  CYP  and preparing them f or the main event.

- (e):      At  present  Yoga  is  not  a  regulated  system  of  healthcare.  There  are  v Universities/Institutions which impart Yoga training to youth, not only at domestic l also internationally. Ministry of AYUSH does not maintain data of such training. However, the  interest  in  Yoga  in  the  country  and  worldwide  has  grown  with  observation International Day of Yoga in last 6 years, and more youth are inclined towards pursuing

Further to this, at the Central level, Ministry of AYUSH also strives to promote the system and to create awareness for the benefit of the people. For this purpose an Info Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme, has been devised by the Ministry, activiti under which include steps to reach out to people and to create awareness about Yoga. IEC activities include programs on TV, Radio, Print -media e c. Activities in this regard outside India are carried out by the Indian Missions abroad as well as ICCR.

The Ministry had also activated all the Indian Missions and Posts abroad to pro and MLMY and Yoga at Home Yoga with Family actively. Prominent celebrities from the entertainment industry gave promotional messages on Yoga, encouraging the people to active participants from their homes in the IDY.