Modi, Adityanath to attend 3rd Yoga Day programme

New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to perform Yoga along with 50,000 participants in Lucknow on June 21 to mark the third edition of the International Yoga Day.

Union Minster of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said this on Friday while addressing the inaugural session of the National Health Editors' Conference on Yoga.

Naik also said the interest and zeal for the event has considerably increased over the years and he hoped to see greater participation this year.

AYUSH Secretary C.K. Mishra said preparations have already begun in Lucknow to make the event a success with various organisations and Yoga gurus already holding camps and practice sessions.

Besides the main event in Lucknow, every state would organise events on International Yoga Day, not only at state level but also at district and sub-district levels, Mishra said.

"Also, all our missions abroad are going to organise Yoga Day events. Many of the missions have already started with the pre-event activities and programmes, including concerts and pre-activities with Yoga Gurus," Mishra said.

In the national capital, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) would organise Yoga demonstration at Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden and Nehru Park.

"The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) would be doing it at Dwarka, Rohini and Khureji. Bhrama Kumaris have come forward to organise a mass Yoga demonstration at the Red Fort," Mishra said.

The Secretary also said these would be conducted apart from the small events being organised by educational institutions and other organisations.

The AYUSH Minister added that during the last two editions, people from across the world actively and voluntarily participated in the International Yoga Day with enthusiasm and interest.

"Probably this is the only occasion when people across the globe come together in such a large number and actively participated," he said.

The Minister said Yoga is making new inroads in healthcare sector with treatment in modern hospitals becoming more and more expensive.

"By practising Yoga on a daily basis, we can have several direct and indirect benefits both at individual and societal levels," Naik said.

Responding to a question, Naik said Yoga also had "huge potential" to generate employment as there is a large demand -- nationally and internationally -- for trained Yoga teachers.

"As the interest in Yoga increases, employment will be generated," he said.