Lok Sabha Question No. 1100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Initiatives to promote Yoga
Ministry: AYURVEDA,YOGA & NATUROPATHY,UNANI,SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY (AYUSH)
Asked by: Ramya  Haridas

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1100 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th SEPTEMBER, 2020

## INITIATIVES TO PROMO TE YOGA

## 1100. MS. RAMYA HARIDAS:

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

- (a) whether any special initiatives have been taken y the Government for promotion of Yoga on the eve of International Yoga Day, if so, the de tails thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the various steps taken to promote Yoga are mostly restricted to the urban areas in the country and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to promote Yoga in rural and backward areas across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Yes. The theme for International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2020 was adopted as 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family', in view of the restrictions on mass gatherings arising from the contagious nature of COVID - 19.

The  Ministry  of  AYUSH  made  various  online  resources  av ailable  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 Interna tional 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.

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 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 ID Y.

(b):  No.

(c) & (d): Since Public Health is a State subject, initiating various steps for awarenes Yoga  in  their  respective  domains  fall  under  the  purview  of  the  respective  State governments.

Further to this, at the Central level, Mini stry of AYUSH also strives to promote the system and to create awareness for the benefit of the people including rural areas. purpose an Information Education and Communication (IEC) Scheme, has been devised by the  Ministry,  activities  under  which include  steps  to  reach  out  to  people  and  to  create awareness about Yoga. IEC activities include programs on TV, Radio, Print - media etc.

Also, as a part of observation of IDY 2020, this Ministry had reached out to Pradhans with suggested plan of act ion for Yoga promotion in villages. Common Service Centers (CSCs) of the Ministry of Electronics & IT have also been roped in for promoti Yoga in rural areas.