Lok Sabha Question No. 1117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Yoga for Covid-19 Patients
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy, Geetha Viswanath Vanga

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## YOGA FOR COVID - 19 PATIENTS

## 1117. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

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

- (a) whether the practice of Yoga is benefitting COVID - 19 patients across the country, if so, the details thereof and research conducted so far in this regard; and
- (b) whether the theme of this year 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family' was conducted in States and the response received thereto?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes. The practice of Yoga is benefitting the COVID - 19 patients across the country, in terms of enhancing the immunity, reduction in the stress level etc. The Mor Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) an autonomous body under Ministry of AYUSH had i mparted  Yoga  to  around  6500  COVID  positive  patients.  Out  of  this  the  Institute compiled the data of around 200 patients, as part of the pilot project.

In addition, the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy ( CCRYN), an autonomous body under Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken a research project to verify t efficacy of Yoga in facilitating early recovery of COVID -19 patients in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi, AIIMS Delhi, AIIM S Rishikesh and RML Hospital, Delhi.

- (b): Yes,  due  to  restrictions  on  mass  gatherings  arising  from  the  contagious  natu COVID -19, the theme for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2020 was adopted as 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family'.

The  Ministry  of  AYU SH  made  various  online  resources  available  on  its  digital 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 ho

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. Additionally, the Ministry of AYUSH, in association with Prasar Bharati, telecasted a trainer led Yoga s on DD National on the sixth International Day of Yoga.

Numerous online discourses on Yoga by prominent Yoga gurus and experts were also organized as a part of the promotional campaign for IDY 2020. 16 Yoga gurus and expe delivered their discourses from the 5 th of June 2020 to the 20 th of June 2020, which were streamed live on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of AYUSH.

Also, as a part of observation of IDY this Ministry has reached out to Gram Prad with  suggested  plan  of  action  for  Yo ga  promotion  in  villages.  Common  Service  Centers (CSCs) of the Ministry of Electronics & IT have also been roped in for promotion of Yo rural areas.

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

Prominent celebrities from the entertainment industry gave promotional messages Yoga, encouraging the people to be active participants from their homes in the IDY.